Understanding the Experience of Service Users in an Integrated Care Programme for Obesity and Mental Health: A Qualitative Investigation of Total Wellbeing Luton

Fani Liapi, Angel Marie Chater, Julia Vera Pescheny, Gurch Randhawa and Yannis Pappas
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Fani Liapi: Faculty of Health and Social Science, Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Luton LU2 8LE, UK
Angel Marie Chater: Faculty of Education and Sport, Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, University of Bedfordshire, Bedford MK41 9EA, UK
Julia Vera Pescheny: Patient Services, Biogen, Riedenburgerstraße 7, 81677 Munich, Germany
Gurch Randhawa: Faculty of Health and Social Science, Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Luton LU2 8LE, UK
Yannis Pappas: Faculty of Health and Social Science, Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Luton LU2 8LE, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Obesity is a complex public health issue with multiple contributing factors. The emphasis on joined care has led to the development and implementation of a number of integrated care interventions targeting obesity and mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine user experience in an integrated care programme for obesity and mental health in Luton, UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of service users (N = 14). Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Analysis of the interviews identified six main themes for understanding service users’ experiences of integrated care: (1) ‘A user-centered system’, (2) ‘Supports behaviour change’, (3) ‘Valued social support’, (4) ‘Communication is key’, (5) ‘Flexible referral process’, and (6) ‘Positive impact on life’. These themes describe how the service is operated, evidence perceived value service users place on social support in behavior change intervention, and address which service areas work well and which require improvement. The findings of these interviews have offered a significant contribution to understanding what service users value the most in an integrated healthcare setting. Service users value ongoing support and being listened to by healthcare professionals, as well as the camaraderie and knowledge acquisition to support their own behaviour change and promote self-regulation following their participation in the programme.

Keywords: evaluation; experiences; integrated care; mental health; obesity; service (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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