DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

Question 4: How do the professionals explain and elaborate their views in the
qualitative information obtained in the comments section.
Content Analysis of additional comments
From the 38 professionals that took part in this study and specified their discipline, 24
added comments in the available section and 14 did not. The following themes were
drawn out from the comments:
Theme 1 - Communication of respect
The availability of refreshments was mentioned by all four professional groups. The
Clinical Psychology group suggested that offering service users refreshments is important
because it is a way of communicating respect. Refreshments were also considered
important for this reason by a Social Worker. The theme of conveying respect to the
service users featured throughout the comments from the Clinical Psychologists e.g.
listening properly to the service users’ concerns or staff not entering or leaving the room
whilst the patient is in the meeting room.
Theme 2 – Patients’ involvement in their care
Both Psychiatry and Psychology noted that the amount the patient is able to understand
and be part of their discussion depends on their cognitive abilities. In Older Adult mental
health services the issue of dementia effects the sharing of information. Nursing members
suggested that the multi-disciplinary team should meet without the patient being present
and that this can avoid ‘splitting’ within the team.
Theme 3 – Medical dominance
Medical dominance was spoken about by the Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry and the
Nursing group. A Clinical Psychologist noted that the purpose of ward round is to
provide the Consultant with an opportunity to have contact with the patients under his/her
clinical care. Furthermore, Nursing noted that ward rounds are not really holistic but
dominated by the medical model.