Mental Health Care
Improving the Quality of Mental Health Care Services through Consultancy
Instructions:-
Health Psychology CONSULTANCY WORK : 2,750 word count (excluding references).
(APA style of writing and references)
Please follow the organised clear sections and subsections below and end with a summary of your conclusions and ideas for future study.
Very Important : Review appropriate (e.g. psychological, business) literature and other information sources for the relevant evidence base (research findings, reports, reviews, policy, guidelines), consultancy approaches, project methods and interventions relevant to the consultancy request.
Title : Conducting Consultancy work within Mental health setting to improve the service
-INTRODUCTION
-Planning of consultancy
-Determining the aims, objectives, criteria, theoretical frameworks, and scope of consultancy.
-Producing implementation plans for delivery of consultancy outcomes.
– Establishing, developing and maintaining working relationships with clients
– Conducting consultancy with the client-consultant contract.
-Establishing systems or processes to deliver planned consultancy.
– Implementing planned consultancy and closing the consultancy.
-Reviewing the process and outcomes of consultancy
-Evaluating the impact of consultancy outcomes
-Designing and implementing an evaluation process appropriate to the consultancy project process
– How to assess the outcomes of the evaluation and present/report and document them for the client’s needs.
-Conclusion
Solution
Improving the Quality of Mental Health Care Services through Consultancy
Introduction
The promotion of the quality of mental health services is critical in supporting the quest to promote and protect the mental health and wellbeing of the people. Improving the quality of services offered within mental health care setting guarantees the achievement of the mental health outcomes and ensures consistency with the evidence-based practice. According to the World Health Organization (2003), the quality of mental health care services impacts on mental health outcomes and plays an essential role in promoting the health/wellbeing of the society and ensuring a productive populace. The effectiveness and quality of MHC services results in positive outcomes guaranteeing the patients, their families, and the society recovery from mental health issues. As the WHO (2007) posits, the importance of high-quality MHC services calls for the adoption and implementation of effective measures/strategies for improving the quality of care. One of the ways of ensuring the implementation of strategies and measures for quality improvement in the mental health setting is through consultancy.
The application of consultation in the improvement of the quality of the MHC services plays an essential role. According to the WHO, in the quest of providing basic MHC services to everyone, the improvement of the quality of the services through the integration of current knowledge, innovation and technology, evidence-based practice, and experiences is critical. The achievement of success in the process requires the involvement of mental health care professionals/experts, patients, payers, and mental health care facilities (Lorant, Grard, & Nicaise, 2016). The involvement of the different stakeholders through consultation is critical to the improvement of the quality of MHC services (Lorant, Grard, & Nicaise, 2016; WHO, 2003). Sekhon, Cartwrightl, and Francis (2017) state that the quality is defined mainly by the acceptability and accessibility of the services, the effectiveness and safety, and superiority of the outcomes. The objective of consultation should, therefore, be the improvement of the services and the production of higher-quality positive outcomes. The discussion of quality improvement in mental health care services through consultancy places emphasis on effective planning, the determination of aims and objectives, the theoretical frameworks and the scope of consultancy. Additionally, implementation plans, working relationships, and other critical elements of consultancy outcomes will be addressed conclusively (Belkora, et al., 2008).
Consultancy Planning
Effective planning is an essential component of the consultancy process. According to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (2012), the effectiveness of the consultation plan allows the achievement of the consultation objectives. The plan should focus on, firstly, identifying the situation that influences the consultation process. The situation includes the concerns that as a mental health care services provider one experiences or the issues that the clients face. The patient-centered consultation focuses emphasis on identifying the concerns of the patients and the general public to ensure the implementation of measures that improve the quality MHC services (Lee, Leong, Egan, Ellis, & Ahmed, 2015). The consideration of the facts, diagnosis, and reports is important for ensuring the efficacy of the consultation process. Secondly, the identification of the way forward including what as a professional one can do is equally important. The process of consultancy must focus on outlining the possibly available choices, the issues the patients and public face, the tests, monitoring, therapies, aggressive MHC services/management/treatment, and treatment options among others (Belkora, et al., 2008; Fordyce, Roe, & Dickert, 2017).
Additionally, the objective of the consultancy is to improve the quality of MHC services by engaging the patients, the public, and other professionals in the mental health setting. The patients and mental health professionals are considered critical in the development of an effective and executable plan. According to Belkora, et al. (2008), a consultation plan should place emphasis on consulting with the right people. Most importantly, evaluation and making sound decisions are critical. The inclusion of definitive evaluation and decision choices and the determination of their influence on the objectives supports the improvement of the quality of the MHC services. The consultation will outline the influence of the choices made in addressing mental health care challenges and show the possible solutions (WHO, 2003; Thomson & Schmied, 2017). The effect of specific choices on particular objectives and the discussion of the best possible solutions will form a critical part of the consultation.
Determining the aims/objectives, criteria, theoretical frameworks, and scope of consultancy
The determination of the objectives of the consultation is essential for effective consultation targeting the improvement of the quality of MHC services. According to Belkora, et al. (2008), the objectives are shaped by the concerns, questions and what the research wants. While this consultation process focuses on improving the quality of services delivered in MHC facilities, the major objectives of the consultation should focus on quality. The development of the aims and objectives should be guided by what the research wants, the patient concerns and needs, mental health care treatment goals, quality of life for people with mental disorders, and other concerns. As Hogg, Rowan, Russell, Geneau, and Muldoon (2008) state, in health care consultation, preference is directed towards what the research wants to determine, in this case, the different factors that influence the quality of care in the mental health setting and the different ways of improving the quality. The application of a well-thought criteria and the establishment of a theoretical framework are critical to achieving the aims and objectives of the consultancy (Mosadeghrad, 2012).
The consultation will focus on the accessibility of the care services, patient-provider relationship, continuity and comprehensiveness of the MHC services, and patient/provider satisfaction. It will integrate Pendleton et al.’s (1984, 2003) consultation model to ensure the effectiveness of the consultations (Pawlikowska, Leach, Lavellee, Charlton, & Piercy, 2016). According to Mosadeghrad (2012), the consultation model’s structure involves understanding the problem and the patients, sharing the understanding, sharing decisions and responsibility and maintaining the patient-healthcare provider relationship. The application of this consultancy model defines the scope of the consultations significantly, as a patient-centered and partnership model, emphasis is directed towards understanding the issues, needs, and the concerns of the patient as well as understanding the patient. However, these consultations will go deeper into detailed analysis through the framework offered by the model, the detailed feedback, and research (Belkora, et al., 2008).
Producing Implementation Plans for Delivery of Consultancy Outcomes
Implementing the consultation plan effectively guarantees the achievement of the set aims and objectives. However, the process must start with the creation of the plan. Producing implementation plans for delivering consultancy outcomes guarantees the improvement of the quality of mental health care. The delivery of the outcomes will focus in improving the outcomes to ensure quality and patient satisfaction. The implementation plan will comprise of different stages including the analysis of information received from the consultancy, determining its applicability and influence on outcomes, and the possible impact on the quality of mental health care. Further, as Thomson and Schmied (2017) states, the implementation process should include critical issues such as strategic planning, determination of compliance with health care regulations and regulatory requirements, and issues such as safety, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and operational quality. Most importantly, according to the WHO, is the consideration of the different challenges that face the implementation of a mental health care plan centered on consultant-delivered care. Affordability and ensuring cost-effectiveness in the delivery of the MHC services are some of the major challenges that might affect the effective implementation of the consultation findings (Belkora, et al., 2008; Hepburn, Perry, Allen, Brennan, & Green, 2007).
Establishing and Maintaining Working Relationships with Clients
The conduction of consultancy work within the mental health setting requires the establishment and maintenance of working relationships with the clients. The development of better working relations translates to the effectiveness of the consultancy process. According to Longnecker and Ha (2010), effective doctor-patient communication plays a fundamental role in establishing a therapeutic relationship between the doctor and the patient, which influences the quality of health care significantly. Establishing working relationships in the course of consultations impacts greatly on the experience. While effective communication remains central to the process, the creation and maintenance of working relationships with patients depends on the ability of the health care professionals to show respect, create trust, depict cultural sensitivity, and promote whole-centered society (Cameron & Green, 2012; Longnecker & Ha, 2010). Creating an environment that fosters trust is essential to establishing an enabling environment for consultancy (Dievernich, Tokarski, & Gong, 2015). Additionally, while interpersonal communication gives the patient required space for the development of the relationship. The elements of respectfulness, advocacy, and interpersonal communication create an environment that enables the development and maintenance of the patient-provider relationship.
Conducting Consultancy with the Client-Consultant Contract
The SABPP (2016) states that contract consulting integrates specialist knowledge to the workforce or team tasked with the consultation. In the quest to improve the quality of the services in mental health care setting, specialist knowledge and consultancy will be critical for acquiring the required information. The client-consultant contract will guide the consultancy process to ensure compliance with the expectations of the client. The consultant must adhere to the guiding principles of consultancy, which include working in accordance with the code of ethics. According to Barbara Davis (2017), one of the important elements in consultancy is the protection of the clients from exploitation. Moreover, the consultant must maintain independence, integrity, confidentiality, and objectivity. These elements are critical in the acquisition of the fundamental information necessary for improving the quality of mental health care services (Ortner, Hillebrand, & Kรถnigswieser, 2016). On the other hand, the client must indemnify and defend the consultant in cases of client-related lawsuits.
Establishing Systems or Processes to Deliver Planned Consultancy
The establishment of systems/processes for the delivery of the planned consultancy will attach efficiency on the outcomes’ impact on the MHC services. The process of the consultation will follow the Systemic Process Consulting Loop described in a 2005 research by Ortner, Hillebrand, and Kรถnigswieser (2016). According to the SPCL, the process starts with the development of initial client-consultant relationship, identifying the assignment and building a hypotheses, gathering information, planning interventions, and implementation the interventions (Ortner, Hillebrand, & Kรถnigswieser, 2016). The consultancy must highlight the different areas that can be improved with the implementation of the recommendations. The application of the different processes will ensure the delivery of the planed consultancy. The consultant should be able to offer information critical for the enhancement of the quality of services in the mental health care setting. Gathering information ensures the collection of relevant information for improving organizational effectiveness. In this case, the consultant will require information concerning the issues facing the mental health care setting in order to improve the quality of services (Cameron & Green, 2012). The evaluation of the information will result in the creation of planning interventions and interventions focusing on the improvement of quality of MHC services.
Implementing Planned Consultancy and Closing the Consultancy
The effective implementation of the of the planned consultancy results to the achievement of the set objectives. The planned consultancy implementation starts with the creation of an effective client-consultant relationship followed by a focus on understanding the issues highlighted in the assignment (Hepburn, Perry, Allen, Brennan, & Green, 2007). The consultant focuses on understanding the assignment before delving into information gathering. The plan outlines the acquisition of the necessary information as critical in shaping the consultancy outcomes. The review of the information and building hypotheses are equally important for the formulation of intervention plans (Hogg, Rowan, Russell, Geneau, & Muldoon, 2008). For a patient-centered consultation that targets the improvement of the quality of the health care services provided within the mental health care setting, placing emphasis on acquiring information that would show the concerns of the patients is necessary. Additionally, as the consultant focuses on improving the quality of the MHC services, the evaluation of the information and further research that integrates evidence-based mental health care knowledge is critical. The development of interventions would then follow. Most importantly, before the closure of the consultancy process, the evaluation of the possible impact of the interventions is necessary (Longnecker & Ha, 2010). The consultation is closed if the consultancy outcomes prove effective in addressing the concerns highlighted and improving the quality of services in the mental health care setting.
Reviewing the Process and Outcomes of Consultancy
Reviewing the process and outcomes of consultancy determines the ability of the process and outcome to influence change within the organization. According to Jewell (2017), the process of consultancy is clearly defined to ensure the achievement of the objectives and aims. In the case of the mental health care services, the process should build hypotheses and plan interventions that focus on improving the quality of the services (Ortner, Hillebrand, & Kรถnigswieser, 2016). Emphasis should be placed on the outcomes, safety, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, acceptability of the services, and efficiency in delivering the services among other critical concerns. The success of the process and outcomes of the consultancy is determined by the ability of the outcomes to influence the achievement of the aims and objectives. If the consultancy outcomes are positive, then the process is viewed as fruitful. The ability of the consultancy process to influence positive outcomes in the mental health care setting would show the effectiveness of the strategy in addressing the concerns facing mental health patients. A selected team or the management of the specific organization review the effectiveness of the outcomes of the consultancy in improving the quality of the services. If they prove to have significant positive impact then the process and the outcomes are termed effective otherwise, ineffective (Sherwood, 2017).
Evaluating the Impact of Consultancy Outcomes
Consultancy focuses on the achievement of specific objectives. This project focuses on the improvement of mental health care services through the achievement of positive and better outcomes. Therefore, the impact of the outcomes should be evaluated against their ability to influence change that informs quality improvement in the mental health care setting. According to the WHO (2007), consulting provides essential information, solutions, and diagnosis that allows the redefinition of the identified problem. Additionally, the implementation of the recommendations provided improve organizational effectiveness by ensuring that the service provider understands the client needs and concerns better (Hepburn, Perry, Allen, Brennan, & Green, 2007). The evaluation of the outcomes consultation outcomes will determine the influence of the consultation on the objectives outlined. The process should allow a better understanding of the needs of mental health patients, their friends and family. The outcomes should influence the adoption and implementation of effective measures that redefine service delivery. The ability to influence the quality of the mental health care services quality by improving safety, patient satisfaction, and their efficiency shows effective consultancy and implementation.
Designing and Implementing an Evaluation Process Appropriate to the Consultancy Project Process
Hepburn, Perry, Allen, Brennan, and Green (2007) define evaluation as the process of collecting and using consultancy information for purposes such as improving the quality of the program, promoting efficiency and quality of services, and ensuring organizational improvement. Evaluation has various components which stakeholder involvement, the formulation of the evaluation strategy, adopting the program theory of change and a logic model, creating questions, data collection, management, and analysis, and adopting a findings implementation strategy. The different aspects of the evaluation process in the case of consultation in regards to the quality of services of mental health care should focus on determining the effectiveness of the program in improving its quality (WHO, 2007). The different elements stated will be used in evaluation.
How to assess the outcomes of the evaluation and present/report and document them for the client’s needs
The major goal of the consultation is the improvement of the quality of services delivered in the mental health care setting. The determination of the influence and ability of the consultancy outcomes on the quality of services can only be achieved through an effective assessment of the outcomes of the evaluation. According to (Sherwood, 2017) and (Hepburn, Perry, Allen, Brennan, & Green, 2007), the evaluation process outlines the influence of the consultancy and, therefore, the assessment of the evaluation outcomes is essential for the determination the effectiveness of the program. Most importantly, effective presentation of the assessment findings ensures the application of the information and the determination of areas that need improvement and emphasis. Effective reporting and documentation makes future retrieval and use of the information easier and convenient (Mosadeghrad, 2012; Dievernich, Tokarski, & Gong, 2015).
Conclusion
The quality of mental health care
services plays a fundamental role in promoting the acceptability of the
services and the promotion of the mental health of the society. The continuous
quality improvement of MHC services ensures the safety of the patients,
promotes efficiency ion service delivery, and ascertains patient satisfaction.
Consultation is one way of ensuring quality improvement in the mental health
setting. The process must start with sufficient planning to set out the ground
for effectiveness. The determination of the aims/objectives, theoretical
framework and the scope of consultancy create an outline that guides the
consultancy and guarantees quality improvement. The production of an
implementation plan for the delivery of the consultancy outcomes, establishment
and maintenance of working relationships, consideration of a consultancy
contract, and the establishing the processes for delivering the planned consultancy
are critical to ensuring effectiveness. Most importantly, ensuring effective
implementation of the planned consultancy following the laid-down framework
guarantees the achievement of the set objectives/aims. Moreover, reviewing the
process and evaluating the consultancy outcomes determines the effectiveness of
the consultations. The processes must follow clearly outlined processes to
ensure that the review and evaluation parts of the consultation are efficient
and impactful. What follows the different processes should be the assessment of
the outcomes and presentation for application in accordance with the client’s
needs. In future, there is a need to place emphasis on the continuous
improvement of the quality of services by involving the communities and educating
them through different approaches. As mental health care conditions remain a
great issue of concern, finding more effective and innovative ways of engaging
the community, especially applying new technologies such as the social media
and tapping into the potential smartphones hold is a possible consideration.
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