Why choice is important

Many service users continue to express concern about taking medication1. These concerns include:

  • minimal involvement in treatment decisions
  • poor provision of written information about medication
  • poor management of treatment side effects by healthcare professionals (HCPs)

 

It is believed that when service users are more involved in decision making, it may lead to better long-term outcomes2.

 

By giving better information, the government also hopes to drive up standards, improve efficiency and provide more flexible and personalised care3.

 

Choice and the NHS and you

Improving and extending choice is at the heart of government reform to modernise the National Health Service. The choice agenda involves strengthening the relationship between service users and HCPs by sharing information, decision making and responsibility for the service user's health.

 

The choice agenda means that the people who use mental health services can make more meaningful choices about the type of care they receive. Whether you are someone who:

  • uses mental health services,
  • care for someone who does,
  • is a healthcare professional,

this will affect you.

 

Why choice is important from a service user's point of view

 

Having greater choice will help the service user work on an equal basis with their professional carers.

 

Choice also means better access to information and greater involvement by the service user. Those with mental illness can then learn more about available:

  • medication
  • complementary therapies
  • management of their own illness.

This will increase overall confidence and give service users more control over their lives.

 

Choice is essential because it encourages all parties to work together in a more positive and productive way.

 

Why choice is important from a carer's point of view

 

Carers are often unaware of the choices available to them and can easily become absorbed in the day-to-day problems of handling potentially volatile and difficult situations. Carers seldom have time to explore choices and often feel that they are hindered in doing so.

 

With greater choice, carers can perform their roles more effectively, as more choice for carers often means more choice for service users.

 

Without choice, carers may feel helpless or isolated when people they care about are put in situations beyond their control. With choice, carers feel they are able to respond to and transform these situations.

 

Why choice is important from a healthcare professional's point of view

 

If choices are made in partnership with service users, service users may take greater degree of ownership and responsibility for treatment and care which may lead to greater compliance to treatment3.

References

1. Gray R, Rofail D, Allen J, Newey T. A survey of patient satisfaction with and subjective experiences of treatment with antipsychotic medication. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2005; 52(1):31-7.

2. Department of Health. Building on the Best: Choice, Responsiveness and Equity in the NHS. 2003

3. Department of Health. Better information, better choices, better health: Putting information at the centre of health. 2004