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other·psychiatry, family medicine, internal medicine, clinical trial, observational study·PMC10544370

Medication-free mental health treatment: a focus group study of milieu therapeutic settings

BMC Psychiatry · 3 authors, 4 centres

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TL;DR

The central finding was that successful implementation requires a holistic, team-based approach focused on individual health promotion.

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The main theme identified was that medication-free treatment involves therapists and patients working together on holistic and personal health promotion. Four supporting themes were helping patients make life changes, having time to focus on the individual, being a professional companion, and team collaboration. Therapists from a mental health institution reported experiencing success, while those from a community mental health centre did not. The authors conclude a holistic, multidisciplinary team approach is necessary, challenging the traditional medical paradigm.

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other

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psychiatry

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10544370

Medication-free mental health treatment: a focus group study of milieu therapeutic settings

BMC Psychiatry

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Medication-free treatment within mental health care aims to offer therapeutic support as an alternative to psychotropic medication. Introducing milieu therapy for severely mentally ill persons in a medication-free unit requires significant changes to the traditional medication-based psychiatric setting. The present study examines how milieu therapists experience working with medication-free treatment for people with severe mental health challenges. The research question was “What may be required to succeed with medication-free treatment in milieu therapeutic settings?” Methods A qualitative study with four focus groups were conducted with 23 milieu therapists from three inpatient units in two mental health institutions. Thematic analysis was performed. Results One main theme was identified: medication-free treatment involves therapists and patients working together on holistic and personal health promotion. This common thread links the four themes: helping patients to make changes in their life; having time to focus on the individual patient; being a professional companion; and working together as a team with the patient. Conclusions A holistic approach is necessary for medication-free treatment to succeed. This requires working together in multidisciplinary teams with a focus on the individual patient. Milieu therapists must engage and take more responsibility in the patient’s process of health promotion. A change from a medical to a humanistic paradigm within mental health care is needed. Keywords: Focus group interviews, Holistic approach, Medication-free treatment, Milieu therapy, Qualitative study

CITATION EXPORT

Lise Saestad Beyene, Marit Helene Hem, Elin Bolle Strand. Medication-free mental health treatment: a focus group study of milieu therapeutic settings. BMC Psychiatry. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05193-x

AUTHORS

3 · 4 CENTRES

Lise Saestad Beyene, Marit Helene Hem, Elin Bolle Strand

1Faculty of Health Science, University of Stavanger, Kjell Arholms gate 41, Stavanger, 4021 Norway
2Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Diakonveien 14-18, Oslo, 0370 Norway
3NTNU Social Research, Dragvoll allé 38 B, Trondheim, 7049 Norway
4Department of Digital Health Research, Oslo University Hospital, Trondheimsveien 235, Oslo, 0586 Norway