A model to promote family involvement in caring for mental health care users in Long-term mental health institutions of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Family involvement in caring for mentally ill patients in long-term mental healthcare institutions is defined as a strategy in which family members and long-term healthcare professionals become partners to provide the best possible care for a person with mental illness. The study seeks to develop a model to promote family involvement in long-term mental health care institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Mixed methods was used. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 21 family members and 6 focused group discussions with MHCUs in qualitative phase. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 360 nurses in the quantitative phase. Data was analysed independently of which convergent analytic approach was used to merge the two data sets. iv The study reports that the MHCUs’ attitudes towards families contribute to poor involvement by family members in the care/visit of the MHCUs while admitted in long-term mental health care. The rejection of the MHCUs also came up strongly during data analysis. Nurses perceived that insufficient family involvement hinders the provision of mental health care services. Eight steps in the Walker and Avant Method were adapted to clarify and distinguish the definition of the main concepts. A model to promote family involvement was conceptualised using the six areas as described by Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach (1968). A model was validated against its rationale and purpose of the study. Justification on the contribution of the family involvement in mental health care revealed that “family involvement in caring for MHCUs” is an engagement and encourages family members to participate in the diagnosis, treatment and recovery process. Study recommended that a developed model should be implemented in health establishments providing mental health services. Policies should be reviewed to include activities which the families should be notified of immediately the mentally ill patient is declared to receive mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation. Developed model should be piloted and evaluated to identify areas that will further improve the quality of mental health services.