Reduction of Seclusion and Restraint in Mental Health Care

• 
  Project Leader
  Associate Professor Bridget Hamilton

  bh@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  + 61 3 903 54224

Project Details

In this study, a large interdisciplinary team explored Australian views about a range of restrictive practices (seclusion, mechanical restraint, physical restraint, chemical restraint and emotional restraint), using a mixed methods approach funded by the National Mental Health Commission.

More than 1,000 Australian participants completed the survey, responding from the viewpoint of consumers, carers and clinicans/providers. Carers and consumers across three states also discussed restrictive practices in depth across six seperate focus groups, as well as discussing their views on how these practices can be reduced.

The findings of this survey and focus groups are important for defining what these practices are, gauging the levels of support for their use, and for gathering views about how to reduce restrictive practices in health service settings.

Please visit the CPN website for further information.

Researchers

• Prof Bernadette McSherry (Melbourne Social Equity Institute)
• Associate Professor Bridget Hamilton
• Ms Cath Roper
• Prof Stuart Kinner, Centre for Mental Health (School of Population Health)
• Assoc. Prof Lisa Brophy, Centre for Mental Health (School of Population Health)

Funding

National Mental Health Commission (2013-2014)

Research Publications

Kinner, S. A., Harvey, C., Hamilton, B., Brophy, L., Roper, C., McSherry, B., Young, J.T. (2016) Attitudes towards seclusion and restraint in mental health settings: findings from a large, community based survey of consumers, carers and mental health professionals. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 1 - 10

Brophy, L., Roper, C., Hamilton, B., Tellez, J., McSherry, B., (2016) Consumers and Carer perspectives on poor practice and the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health settings: results from Australian focus groups. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 10:1

Brophy, L., Roper, C., Hamilton, B., Tellez, J., McSherry, B., (2016) Consumers and their supporters’ perspectives on barriers and strategies to reducing seclusion and restraint in mental health settings. Australian Health Review 40, 599-604.