TY - JOUR
T1 - A critical review of research into mental health consumers' perspectives on their physical health
T2 - Is there an absence of consumers in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of this research?
AU - Green, Chloe R.
AU - Elwyn, Rosiel
AU - Hill, Nicholas
AU - Johnston-Ataata, Kate
AU - Kokanović, Renata
AU - Maylea, Chris
AU - McLoughlan, Grace
AU - Roberts, Russell
AU - Thomas, Stuart D.M.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by $120,000 funding from each of the Australian National Mental Health Commission, the New South Wales Mental Health Commission, and the Safer Care Victoria.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023 Green, Elwyn, Hill, Johnston-Ataata, Kokanović, Maylea, McLoughlan, Roberts and Thomas.
PY - 2023/2/6
Y1 - 2023/2/6
N2 - We conducted a critical review, using systematic methods, of the literature examining mental health consumer perspectives on their physical and mental health in academic research published between 2005 and 2021. This review examined the inclusion, extent, type and centrality of consumer perspectives regarding their mental and physical health. The search produced 1,865 papers from which 116 met the inclusion criteria. Studies predominantly focused on consumers' individual experiences of their physical and mental health, including but not limited to their understandings and experiences of medication and associated risk factors. They also captured some social aspects of mental health consumers' physical health, including factors that impacted individual agency, stigma, and social and interpersonal factors. Structural factors affecting physical and mental health, such as accessibility of services and financial constraints, were also identified. The review revealed that in comparison to clinician perspectives, the direct representation of consumer perspectives was lacking. Similarly, while clinician and carer perspectives on structural factors were investigated, the consumer perspective in this area was missing. The review also found few genuine codesigned or coproduced research studies. To better identify and respond to the health needs as prioritized by consumers, this paper argues it is imperative that future studies prioritize codesigned and coproduced research. It is argued that a focus on “services as provided” rather than “services as received” has contributed to a lack of progress in addressing the life expectancy gap for consumers. It is recommended that journals, ethics committees and research policy organizations develop guidelines and standards to inform best practice in research on consumer perspectives and experience and to support the implementation of codesigned and/or coproduced approaches in future research. Respecting and including consumers as equal partners in the research process will lead to more meaningful insights to inform policy and practice and reduce the life expectancy gap for people living with mental health concerns.
AB - We conducted a critical review, using systematic methods, of the literature examining mental health consumer perspectives on their physical and mental health in academic research published between 2005 and 2021. This review examined the inclusion, extent, type and centrality of consumer perspectives regarding their mental and physical health. The search produced 1,865 papers from which 116 met the inclusion criteria. Studies predominantly focused on consumers' individual experiences of their physical and mental health, including but not limited to their understandings and experiences of medication and associated risk factors. They also captured some social aspects of mental health consumers' physical health, including factors that impacted individual agency, stigma, and social and interpersonal factors. Structural factors affecting physical and mental health, such as accessibility of services and financial constraints, were also identified. The review revealed that in comparison to clinician perspectives, the direct representation of consumer perspectives was lacking. Similarly, while clinician and carer perspectives on structural factors were investigated, the consumer perspective in this area was missing. The review also found few genuine codesigned or coproduced research studies. To better identify and respond to the health needs as prioritized by consumers, this paper argues it is imperative that future studies prioritize codesigned and coproduced research. It is argued that a focus on “services as provided” rather than “services as received” has contributed to a lack of progress in addressing the life expectancy gap for consumers. It is recommended that journals, ethics committees and research policy organizations develop guidelines and standards to inform best practice in research on consumer perspectives and experience and to support the implementation of codesigned and/or coproduced approaches in future research. Respecting and including consumers as equal partners in the research process will lead to more meaningful insights to inform policy and practice and reduce the life expectancy gap for people living with mental health concerns.
KW - co-production
KW - consumer
KW - mental health
KW - mental health service user
KW - physical health
KW - Caregivers
KW - Mental Health Services
KW - Humans
KW - Problem Solving
KW - Mental Health
KW - Social Stigma
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85148498102&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2022.982339
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2022.982339
M3 - Review article
C2 - 36814954
AN - SCOPUS:85148498102
SN - 2296-2565
VL - 10
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
JF - Frontiers in Public Health
M1 - 982339
ER -