An exploration of why health professionals seek to hold statutory powers in mental health services in England: considerations of the Approved Mental Health Professional role

TY - JOUR

T1 - An exploration of why health professionals seek to hold statutory powers in mental health services in England: considerations of the Approved Mental Health Professional role

AU - Stevens, Martin

AU - Manthorpe, Jill

AU - Martineau, Stephen

AU - Steils, Nicole

AU - Norrie, Caroline

PY - 2019/10/24

Y1 - 2019/10/24

N2 - Background: There is a shortage of Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), who are responsible for compulsory admission decisions under the Mental Health Act (MHA), 1983. Only 5% of AMHPs are health professionals, over a decade after the role was opened to them. Aims: The research aimed to identify factors motivating and discouraging health professionals from becoming and working as AMHPs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (n = 52) with professionals enabled to become AMHPs by the MHA, 2007, including AMHPs; those that had not become AMHPs; and AMHP managers. Additionally, a survey of AMHP senior managers. Interviews and open-ended survey questions were analysed thematically. Results: Motivating and discouraging factors were grouped as intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivations were: altruism; the dynamic and contained nature of the work; and fit with experience. Intrinsic discouraging factors were: damage to therapeutic relationships; the perceived clash between AMHP work and professional values. Extrinsic motivations were: career progression; and professional esteem. Extrinsic discouraging factors were: profile and reputation of the service; organisational commitment; management support; and level of remuneration. Conclusions: The research suggests that changes in organisational responsibility for running AMHP services and raising the profile of the role might help increase recruitment and retention of health professionals.

AB - Background: There is a shortage of Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), who are responsible for compulsory admission decisions under the Mental Health Act (MHA), 1983. Only 5% of AMHPs are health professionals, over a decade after the role was opened to them. Aims: The research aimed to identify factors motivating and discouraging health professionals from becoming and working as AMHPs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (n = 52) with professionals enabled to become AMHPs by the MHA, 2007, including AMHPs; those that had not become AMHPs; and AMHP managers. Additionally, a survey of AMHP senior managers. Interviews and open-ended survey questions were analysed thematically. Results: Motivating and discouraging factors were grouped as intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivations were: altruism; the dynamic and contained nature of the work; and fit with experience. Intrinsic discouraging factors were: damage to therapeutic relationships; the perceived clash between AMHP work and professional values. Extrinsic motivations were: career progression; and professional esteem. Extrinsic discouraging factors were: profile and reputation of the service; organisational commitment; management support; and level of remuneration. Conclusions: The research suggests that changes in organisational responsibility for running AMHP services and raising the profile of the role might help increase recruitment and retention of health professionals.

KW - Approved Mental Health Professional

KW - legislation

KW - motivation

KW - statutory powers

KW - workforce

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85074613067&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/09638237.2019.1677868

DO - 10.1080/09638237.2019.1677868

M3 - Article

SN - 0963-8237

JO - Journal of Mental Health

JF - Journal of Mental Health

ER -