1. Research and recovery: Can patient participation in research promote recovery for people with complex post‐traumatic stress disorder, CPTSD ?
- Author
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Elizabeth Weightman and Catherine Matheson
- Subjects
Medicine (General) ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Emotions ,sexual abuse ,Participatory action research ,complex post‐traumatic stress disorder ,Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ,03 medical and health sciences ,R5-920 ,0302 clinical medicine ,Intervention (counseling) ,London ,Special Issue Paper ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Patient participation ,media_common ,liberation psychology ,Special Issue Papers ,Complex post-traumatic stress disorder ,030503 health policy & services ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,CPTSD ,refugees ,medicine.disease ,Emotional dysregulation ,Mental health ,Self Concept ,Feeling ,Sexual abuse ,Special Issue on Mental Health ,participatory research ,Patient Participation ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 ,0305 other medical science ,Psychology ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
Background A new diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, CPTSD, has been agreed by the World Health Organization, WHO, and evidence is needed for what psychological treatment might be effective, particularly from those with experience of the disorder. We used a novel participatory approach to explore patient views and simultaneously studied the impact on the patient researchers of the research process itself. In this paper, we report on the latter section of the study how the involvement in research of patients with CPTSD affected their mental health. Symptoms of CPTSD may include emotional dysregulation, feelings of self-worthlessness and difficulties in relationships. Objective The aim of this study section was to explore whether patients' mental health could be promoted through empowering them to participate in research on CPTSD. Design The study had a qualitative, participatory design. The clinician who led the research (first author) held group meetings with patient researchers to explore the impact of the research process. The clinician also kept notes on the process in a reflective log. Setting and participants Six patient researchers participated in research with other patients with lived experience of CPTSD in an NHS outpatient unit in a London hospital. Intervention studied The research process itself was analysed in group meetings with researchers which the clinician recorded and transcribed. Findings Participation in research may promote increased self-confidence and social inclusion for those with CPTSD. Conclusion Involvement in research may be seen as an empowering intervention because patients felt it contributed to recovery.
- Published
- 2019