Caring for Patients with Psychosis: Mental Health Professionals’ Views on Informal Caregivers’ Needs

Maria Moudatsou, Sofia Koukouli, Eleutheria Palioka, Garyfalia Pattakou, Panagiota Teleme, Georgia Fasoi, Evridiki Kaba and Areti Stavropoulou
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Maria Moudatsou: Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Sofia Koukouli: Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Eleutheria Palioka: Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Garyfalia Pattakou: Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Panagiota Teleme: Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Georgia Fasoi: Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches for the Enhancement of Quality of Life (Quality of Life Lab), Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Evridiki Kaba: Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches for the Enhancement of Quality of Life (Quality of Life Lab), Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Areti Stavropoulou: Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches for the Enhancement of Quality of Life (Quality of Life Lab), Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the views of mental health professionals regarding the needs of the informal caregivers of patients with chronic psychotic syndrome. A qualitative research design was used. The sample consisted of 12 mental health professionals selected by a purposive sampling strategy. Data were collected through semistructured, face to face interviews. Framework analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and establish main themes and subthemes. Three main themes emerged namely, (i) impact of caring on caregivers’ lives, (ii) caregivers’ needs, and (iii) recommendations for better care. Informal caregivers’ needs were conceptualized into subthemes within the main themes. Caregivers’ increased responsibilities of caring for their relatives, the impact on their mental and physical health status and the restrictions in their social and professional life were revealed. Targeted health interventions and social policy planning are recommended for supporting informal caregivers and improving patient care.

Keywords: informal caregivers; mental health professionals; psychotic syndrome; patients; family; health needs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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