Promoting participation in organizational decision making by clients with severe mental illness

Donald M Linhorst; Anne Eckert; Gary Hamilton

doi:10.1093/sw/50.1.21

Promoting participation in organizational decision making by clients with severe mental illness

Soc Work. 2005 Jan;50(1):21-30. doi: 10.1093/sw/50.1.21.

Authors

Donald M Linhorst¹, Anne Eckert, Gary Hamilton

Affiliation

¹ School of Social Service, Saint Louis University, MO 63103, USA. linhorsd@slu.edu

PMID: 15688677
DOI: 10.1093/sw/50.1.21

Abstract

This qualitative study assessed clients' participation in organizational decision making in a public long-term psychiatric hospital. Numerous examples were found in which clients meaningfully participated in the decision-making process and achieved favorable policy changes. Three means of involving clients were found to be especially useful: (1) using a consumer council, (2) involving clients in the formal policy review process, and (3) including clients in the hospital's performance improvement system. The authors offer guidelines for mental health organizations wishing to promote client participation in organizational decision making. Implications for social work are discussed.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Decision Making, Organizational*
Female
Focus Groups
Hospitals, Psychiatric / organization & administration*
Hospitals, Public / organization & administration*
Humans
Male
Missouri
Patient Participation*
Social Work