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Int J Mental Health Nurs - 2025 - Wright - It s Not All About Medication Improving the Use of Sensory Approaches in an295.90 kB
Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
'It's Not All About Medication': Improving the Use of Sensory Approaches in an Acute Mental Health Unit-A Qualitative Analysis
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, Vol.34(4), pp.1-13
2025
PMID: 40790857
Abstract
Improving the use of recovery-orientated and trauma-informed practices, such as sensory approaches, in acute mental health units (AMHUs) has proven challenging, and the biomedical model predominates. Limited research has explored how addressing local barriers to the use of sensory approaches can change clinical practice in these units. This study aimed to understand the factors that led to changes in practice following the implementation of a tailored strategy designed to improve the use of sensory approaches. Implementation strategies were co-designed with key stakeholders, guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel and Integrated Knowledge Translation. Strategies included: provision of sensory materials/resources; education and training; prompts and reminders; modelling; audit and feedback; workplace coalition; and facilitation. A qualitative descriptive design was used to conduct semi-structured interviews (n = 7) with mental health clinicians and peer support workers. Data were analysed inductively using reflective thematic analysis. Seven key themes emerged from the data: That's just how we do things now, More options available, Wide range of benefits, Everyone needs to be trained, People drove change, You haven't got time and Risk considerations. Participants reported how sensory approaches had become part of routine practice over the course of the project; however, the key ongoing barrier to their use was lack of time. Findings from this study highlight how addressing local contextual barriers to the use of sensory approaches can result in change in ward culture and improved use. Overall, the tailored strategy resulted in a move towards more consumer-centred, trauma-informed and recovery-orientated care in an AMHU.
Details
- Title
- 'It's Not All About Medication': Improving the Use of Sensory Approaches in an Acute Mental Health Unit-A Qualitative Analysis
- Authors
- Lisa Wright - The University of QueenslandPamela Meredith - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapySally Bennett - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, Vol.34(4), pp.1-13
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1111/inm.70118
- ISSN
- 1447-0349; 1445-8330
- PMID
- 40790857
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
- Grant note
- We thank and acknowledge The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, The Common Good for funding this research.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991153837102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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