| dc.description.abstract | Background: The need to optimise collaborative working in inpatient psychiatric services represents a long-standing improvement focus for mental health services. Key for this improvement is the coming together of three parties; a client, their linked carer and the associated clinical team during a hospital admission. However, there is limited inpatient research exploring collaborative care from all three perspectives within this triad, and even less research examining the experiences of this three-way relationship itself. Thus, further inquiry is needed.
Objective: This study aimed to qualitatively explore the experiences within a linked triadic relationship in inpatient care, and in particular the relational processes that occur between the three parties.
Methods: The study recruited 11 participants (3 clients, 5 carers and 3 clinicians), from three complete therapeutically working triads, in which individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with a client, their identified carer(s) and supporting clinician. The transcripts were analysed using a systemically-informed thematic analysis, both within the individual triads and cross-sectionally across the data set as whole.
Results: Five themes were identified, that captured how the triad experienced the three-way relationship; The Inpatient Relationship is a Journey, alongside identifying some of the key processes that occur between triad members; Everyone is Navigating Power, Seeking Connection, Shared Experiences are the Key and Making Space for Context.
Conclusions: This study concluded that the triadic relationship itself is a pivotal and dynamic component of inpatient care, and as such requires increased recognition, support and research to maximise its therapeutic potential. Future research should further explore the relational processes highlighted within this study. | en_GB |
