IngentaConnect Clinical psychology service users' experiences of confidentiality...

Authors: Martindale, S. J.¹; Chambers, E.²; Thompson, A. R.³

Source: Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, Volume 82, Number 4, December 2009 , pp. 355-368(14)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Abstract:

Objectives:

To explore and describe the experience of clinical psychology service users in relation to the processes associated with confidentiality and the generation of informed consent in individual therapy.

Design:

A qualitative interview-based study employing interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted with service users. User researchers were active collaborators in the study.

Methods:

A focus group of four users was convened to explore issues related to confidentiality and consent, which then informed the development of the semi-structured interview schedule. Twelve users of community mental health clinical psychology services were interviewed by user researchers. A user researcher and a clinical psychologist undertook joint analysis of the data. A second clinical psychologist facilitated reflexivity and wider consideration of validity issues.

Results:

Four main themes were identified from the data: being referred; the participant's feelings, mental health difficulties, and their impact; relationships with workers and carers; and autonomy.

Conclusions:

The meaningfulness of processes of discussing confidentiality, and generating informed consent, can be improved by psychologists placing a greater emphasis on choice, control, autonomy, individual preferences, and actively involving the user in dialogue on repeated occasions.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/147608309X444730

Affiliations: 1: Psychological Health Sheffield/Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Northlands Community Health Centre, Southey Hill, Sheffield, UK 2: Centre for Psychological Services Research (CPSR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK 3: Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

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Clinical psychology service users' experiences of confidentiality and informed consent: A qualitative analysis