Community treatment orders: learning from experiences of service users, practitioners and nearest relatives. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stroud, Julia; Banks, Laura; Doughty, Karolina
• Is Part Of: Journal of mental health. Volume 24:Number 2(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Mental health -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.3109/09638237.2014.998809
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8237

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background</italic>: The effectiveness of Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) has been examined previously. However, few studies have explored the significance of service user and practitioner understandings.</p> <p> <italic>Aims</italic>: The study explored the experiences of service users, practitioners and nearest relatives, to identify key factors and good practice in relation to CTOs.</p> <p> <italic>Method</italic>: A study of CTOs in a mental health NHS Trust in Southern England, including 72 semi-structured interviews, analysed thematically.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: CTOs were perceived as helpful in certain circumstances for the "right" service user. Factors influencing effectiveness included recognition of the containing elements of the CTO, a respect for its legal authority and an acceptance of conditions.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: The perceptions of service users have an important role in determining the value and potential effectiveness of CTOs. A consideration of these issues should be integral to the process of assessing whether a CTO is appropriate in individual cases.</p> </abstract>