RESEARCH STUDY TO TRAIN STAFF IN TALKING THERAPY FOR PSYCHOSIS

A new research study led by the Mental Health Nursing Research Unit (MHNRU) at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) will train NHS staff working in services designed to help people who are experiencing psychosis to deliver an innovative form of talking therapy for service users.

The CAMEO study, which is delivered in partnership with the University of Manchester, will train Care Coordinators in NHS Early Intervention Services in a type of talking therapy, called Method of Levels (MOL), to support service users’ recovery from psychosis.

The aim of MOL is to help service users resolve distressing problems and gain more control over important aspects of their life. MOL is a way of helping people explore problems in depth with the aim of coming up with new solutions to their difficulties.

Staff delivering MOL use curious questions to help people focus their awareness on problems and resolve conflicts that are believed to cause psychological distress.

The study will aim to find out whether it is possible for Care Coordinators to deliver this talking therapy, to understand service users’ experiences of working with an MOL-trained Care Coordinator, and determine whether a larger clinical trial should be carried out.

£250,000 of funding has recently been approved for the CAMEO study by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care.

Dr Robert Griffiths, Director of the Mental Health Nursing Research Unit and Chief Investigator for the CAMEO study, said,

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“This is the largest study to be delivered so far by the Mental Health Nursing Research Unit (MHNRU). We hope this project will increase our understanding of how to make Early Intervention Services even more helpful for people reporting psychosis-related difficulties.

“Care Coordinators play a vital role in supporting people’s recovery from psychosis. This project has the potential to contribute to the development of an innovative new approach to supporting people experiencing psychosis that Care Coordinators can use in their routine practice.

“We also think that the delivery of this project demonstrates the value of the MHNRU and the role it plays in supporting research which is led by mental health nurses.”

 

Early Intervention Services provide support for people who have experienced their first episode of psychosis, helping with recovery and to reduce the risk of relapse. Care Coordinators in Early Intervention Services use different methods to help people understand their experience of psychosis, and to develop a package of care to support service users with their recovery.

The study, which is recruiting participants until October 2023, aims to recruit Care Coordinator and service user participants from twelve Early Intervention Services in three participating NHS Trusts, including GMMH. Care Coordinators taking part in the study will be offered training and supervision in how to deliver MOL and be supported to incorporate the approach into their work with service users.

The CAMEO study is now recruiting Care Coordinator and service user participants within GMMH. Recruitment will begin in other participating Trusts soon. If you would like more information or are interested in taking part in the study, contact Robert Griffiths, Chief Investigator: Robert.Griffiths@gmmh.nhs.uk.