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Trust in Mental Health Services: A neglected concept

Brown, Patrick R, Calnan, Michael .W., Scrivener, Amanda, Szmukler, George (2009) Trust in Mental Health Services: A neglected concept. Journal of Mental Health, 18 (5). pp. 449-458. ISSN 0963-8237. (doi:10.3109/09638230903111122) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:24555)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638230903111122

Abstract

Background: Research suggests that trust is vital for quality healthcare and effective outcomes. Trust becomes necessary in conditions of vulnerability and uncertainty. These conditions may be especially relevant to the experience and treatment of mental illness. There exists a paucity of research into trust and mental health services.

Aims: To develop an understanding of trust as it relates to mental health services and their users. To identify practical contexts where trust may be particularly relevant and where research may inform policy, service organization and individual practice.

Method: Review of wider literature on “trust” and application of these conceptualizations to the context of mental healthcare.

Findings: Trust appears to be salient and yet problematic for mental health services, not least in terms of approachability, disclosure and cooperation with treatment programmes. Organizing services around understandings of trust, rather than risk, may be more effective both at meeting need and managing risk.

Conclusions: Through an improved understanding of trust and its effect on the engagement of service-users, there are clear potential benefits for mental health services through an enhanced ability to facilitate access and develop effective cooperation towards healthcare outcomes. Research is required to inform policy, service organization and clinical practice to this end.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3109/09638230903111122
Uncontrolled keywords: Social and political issues, trust, engagement, policy
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental health
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Tony Rees
Date Deposited: 24 Aug 2010 15:09 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:03 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/24555 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Brown, Patrick R.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Calnan, Michael .W..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7239-6898
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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