Practitioners could offer carer-centred practice to help overcome some of the difficulties encountered by family and friends of service users, says John Rowe
This article suggests that relational approaches and carer-centred practice in mental health and other services might alleviate some of the burden on the health – both physical and mental – experienced by informal carers. Unhelpful staff attitudes and poor communication are barriers to effective engagement between professionals and carers.
Carer-centred practice requires professionals to identify and develop relationships with carers, appreciate interdependencies and the complexity of need, and involve family members and friends of the service user as expert partners in care.
Mental Health Practice. 17, 2, 24-26. doi: 10.7748/mhp2013.10.17.2.24.e846
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Received: 27 June 2012
Accepted: 01 March 2013
or
Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now
Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more