Therapists experiences of delivering treatment to patients with co-morbid mental and physical health conditions within an IAPT service

Jackson, Francesca

Abstract

The number of people who have a Long-Term Health Condition (LTC) is increasing. There is a high prevalence of those who have a LTC who are also experiencing a Mental Health Condition. There has been a recent focus on The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (IAPT) role in providing psychological support for patients with LTC’s. Therapists experiences are important for providing ‘on the ground’ feedback into how this works in practice, and can guide future developments within services.

Aims of research:
• To explore therapists experiences of delivering treatment to patients with co-morbid mental health and physical health conditions
• Therapists perceptions on the differences in treating patients with co-morbid LTC and mental health difficulties within an IAPT service compared to working with patients presenting with only mental health difficulties
• Therapists opinions on what is most helpful and what is challenging to deliver in terms of treatment for these patients
• Therapists perceptions on barriers and facilitators to engagement for these patients

Semi structured interviews were conducted with 16 therapists within an IAPT service. Using Thematic Analysis, 4 main themes. Each with 3 subthemes. These reflected therapists experiences of the important factors to consider when working with these patients.


1. The Treatment Plan: Flexible and adaptable treatment plans are key. However, the IAPT framework places barriers on this. Therapists described how they often focused on getting patients to re-engage with activities. But felt they needed ‘more tools’ to provide these patients.

2. The Service: Training, supervision and CPD were all controversial areas. Therapists recognised the role of collaborative working with other healthcare professionals. But the reality of this was a different picture.

3. The Patient: Therapists discussed the impact of where a patient is with accepting their LTC. As well as accepting that there is mental health aspect to this.

4. The Therapist: Therapists tended to take on a lot of responsibility for patients. Furthermore, there appeared to be negative pre-conceptions about working with these patients.

Conclusions: Therapists clearly want to do their best for patients with co-morbid physical and mental health conditions. However, therapists feel they need more skills to do this. The role of Health Psychology could potentially aid in filing this void, especially around, training supervision and CPD. More attention needs to be given to addressing preconceptions around working with these patients. With not only IAPT services, but other health care professionals all clear on the roles they are playing in a patients care. More attention should be given to how patients present in treatment and the appropriateness of receiving treatment through IAPT.

Citation

Jackson, F. Therapists experiences of delivering treatment to patients with co-morbid mental and physical health conditions within an IAPT service. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10223564

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 6, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 14, 2023
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10223564
• Award Date: Jul 14, 2023