Abstract:
The current study aimed to determine the degree to which service users were satisfied with an early intervention service for psychosis and to explore their process of recovery. The research was based on the epistemology of pragmatism and utilised mixed methodology. The quantitative data were collected using verbal response scales and analysed with non-parametric statistics. The qualitative data were collected using narrative style interviewing and analysed with thematic analysis. Twenty past and present clients of an urban early intervention psychosis service were interviewed. The quantitative results demonstrated that the therapeutic relationship, feeling respected by the service and a longer duration of care were significantly associated with greater levels of general overall service satisfaction. Data were interpreted to produce clinically relevant inferences for the service being evaluated. The quantitative and qualitative data were integrated and interpreted to form three overarching themes related to Psychosis, Service Satisfaction and The Process of Supported Recovery. The early intervention service evaluated provided a service that the majority of participants were very satisfied with. The personality of the specific clinicians involved and their drive to provide a client-focused service appeared to be one of their most recognised strengths. The finding that a longer duration of care was significantly associated with greater levels of satisfaction, suggested that clients need time to find personal meaning from their experiences. It is suggested that this contributes to an integrated sense of self that positively influences recovery. The holistic nature of the service meant it was able to effectively meet the diverse needs of clients through individualised, social and community care.
