Using narratives on an acute psychiatric ward.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Using narratives on an acute psychiatric ward.
Authors:	Whittall, Suzanne, Allie, Samina
Source:	Counselling Psychology Review. 2011, Vol. 26 Issue 3, p34-44. 11p. 2 Charts.
Subjects:	Mental health, Medical personnel, Clients, Narrative inquiry (Research method), Inpatient care, Insight
Abstract:	Background: Mental health professionals are looking at more ways in which clients' voices can be heard throughout their treatment. One of the ideas being suggested is through narratives. Narratives are a way people can derive meaning from events by retelling their story putting their experience in chronological order. The 2002 NICE Guidelines also suggest encouraging clients to write their own accounts of their admission to hospital. This service evaluation discusses the idea of using narratives in inpatient care and evaluates how useful it has been for both staff and patients to be involved in the narrative process. Our main aims in introducing the 'Narrative Project' (the 'Project') were to determine if the process of creating a narrative impacted upon therapeutic relationships between staff and clients, whether narratives could improve client's insight and if the process could improve Staff confidence in their skills. Method: Questionnaires were used to determine if the aims of our 'Narrative Project' were being met. The findings of the questionnaires were analysed using content analysis to draw upon themes. Findings: Despite environmental/systemic challenges, the process of collecting narratives has highlighted the importance of a good therapeutic relationship between staff and clients. Conclusion: It is important to note that it is not the number of narratives collected which is important but the quality of the narratives and what both staff member and client gain from the process which is key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Background: Mental health professionals are looking at more ways in which clients' voices can be heard throughout their treatment. One of the ideas being suggested is through narratives. Narratives are a way people can derive meaning from events by retelling their story putting their experience in chronological order. The 2002 NICE Guidelines also suggest encouraging clients to write their own accounts of their admission to hospital. This service evaluation discusses the idea of using narratives in inpatient care and evaluates how useful it has been for both staff and patients to be involved in the narrative process. Our main aims in introducing the 'Narrative Project' (the 'Project') were to determine if the process of creating a narrative impacted upon therapeutic relationships between staff and clients, whether narratives could improve client's insight and if the process could improve Staff confidence in their skills. Method: Questionnaires were used to determine if the aims of our 'Narrative Project' were being met. The findings of the questionnaires were analysed using content analysis to draw upon themes. Findings: Despite environmental/systemic challenges, the process of collecting narratives has highlighted the importance of a good therapeutic relationship between staff and clients. Conclusion: It is important to note that it is not the number of narratives collected which is important but the quality of the narratives and what both staff member and client gain from the process which is key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	17572142