Using multiple case studies of health and justice services to inform the development of a new complex intervention for prison-leavers with common mental health problems (Engager)

Health & Justice

Mike Maguire¹  Graham Durcan²  Richard Byng³  Cath Quinn³  Jenny Shaw⁴  Rachel Stevenson⁴  Charlotte Lennox⁴  Caroline Stevenson⁴  Christabel Owens⁵  Sarah L. Brand⁵ 

[1] Centre for Criminology, University of South Wales, CF37 1DL, Pontypridd, Wales;Centre for Mental Health, South Bank Technopark, 90 London Rd, SE1 6LD, London, UK;Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, Devon, UK;Division of Psychology and Mental Health, The University of Manchester, 2.315 Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, Manchester, UK;University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke’s Campus, EX1 2LU, Exeter, UK;

关键词: Case study design;    Health services;    Justice services;    Common mental health;    Interagency working;    Collaboration;    Engagement;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40352-021-00131-z

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPeople in the criminal justice system have complex needs but often do not make use of services outside of prison, in many cases due to poorly joined up working between health and criminal justice services. The ‘Engager’ programme aimed to develop a complex collaborative care intervention for people leaving prison with common mental health problems that could support their transition into the community and facilitate joined up working between health, justice and social services. To augment our core intervention theory, we wanted to learn from innovative and forward-thinking services providing interagency support and/or treatment for people experiencing common mental health problems within the criminal justice system. We wanted to identify key elements of interagency practice to understand what was and was not effective in engaging people, maintaining their contact and improving mental health and other aspects of their lives.MethodWe used a multiple case study design with a focused ethnographic approach in four study sites. Data came from three sources (documents, field notes and semi-structured interviews) underwent a framework analysis.ResultsWe identified seven main themes, namely: collaboration, client engagement, client motivation, supervision, therapeutic approach, peers and preparations for ending. Engaging and motivating clients was dependent on the relationship built with the professional. This relationship was developed through building trust and rapport, which required time and respectful, open and honest communication. Professionals were often unable to build this relationship effectively if they did not work in effective interagency collaborations, particularly those which included shared practices and were supported by effective supervision.ConclusionsThe multiple case study design contributed insights as to how health and justice services work together. The main themes identified are well known factors in health and justice co-working. However, the novel insights were gleaned examining interdependence and interactions in complex, multifactorial phenomena and practice, in particular the importance of shared practice and supervision models. The approach of selecting a small number of cases representing identified knowledge gaps contributed a valuable addition to the program theory and delivery for an innovative complex intervention.

【 授权许可】

CC BY