We are currently conducting a study, funded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists Charitable Trust, investigating physiotherapist’s attitudes and perceptions towards working with patients with a mental health diagnosis.
As part of the study physiotherapists, across all specialisms, will be invited to complete a short online survey consisting of demographic information, the 16-item Mental Illness: Clinicians’ Attitudes Scale (MICA-4) questionnaire and open/closed questions derived within the research team. Participants will also have the option to ‘opt in’ to the second stage of the study in which we will seek to expand upon the findings in stage 1 through 1-1 interviews qualitatively exploring experiences and perceptions around working with patients with mental health illness.
This project aims to identify recommendations to improve access and experience of physiotherapy for patients with mental health diagnosis and to identify strategies of supporting and increasing therapist confidence working with this population. Participation in both components of this project is entirely voluntary.
We are keen to obtain insights of physiotherapists from all specialisms and would be most grateful if you would cascade the information below within your special interest group network.
Additionally, if you could please respond to this email with your approval to share and the number of physiotherapists within your special interest network we would be very grateful.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kind Regards,
Laura Hemmings
School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences
New resource: Allied Health Professionals offer in mental health settings explained
The NHS Long Term Plan describes Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) as playing a central role in person-centred care to help meet the changing demands the NHS is facing. Across NHS mental health services in England, an estimated 27,000 (WTE) new mental health posts will be needed to deliver the NHS Long Term Plan ambitions.
HEE has recently published a new infographic to demonstrate to employers and workforce planners how AHPs, which are the third-largest workforce in the NHS, can make a unique contribution to mental health services. It also explains how AHPs can be deployed into mental health settings to lead health promotion, provide early intervention, deliver expert rehabilitation, tackle health inequalities and support recovery.
The infographic, co-designed with the AHP Mental Health and Learning Disability Observatory, shows how patients, service users and families can benefit from the holistic AHP support for their health and care needs.
The resource explaining the AHP offer in learning disability settings will launch in the coming months. To find out more, visit the AHPs mental health webpage.
NIHR Fellowship awarded to Dr Brendon Stubbs for research in persistent pain and serious mental illness
Dr Brendon Stubbs, Head of Physiotherapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and Research Lead for the CPMH, has been awarded a five year National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Advanced Fellowship of £916,000. Through this award he will undertake valuable research on the identification and management of persistent pain in people with severe mental illness (SMI).
The Mental Health Glow Up: Increasing awareness and confidence working with people experiencing mental illness
Join us virtually for a day of presentations from specialist physiotherapists working across different areas of mental health care. Build your awareness around mental health conditions, severe mental illness and common presentations for confidence working with this population within any setting.
Topics include an overview of physiotherapy within the following areas: eating disorders, functional neurological disorder, dementia, and adult mental health. We will also have an interactive workshop on physiotherapist education around mental health where you can have your say on this important topic and breakout rooms for networking and discussions.
