Service Users’ Priorities and Preferences for Treatment of Psychosis: A User-Led Delphi Study

Objective

Service users may have different priorities and preferences for treatment compared with mental health professionals. Few studies have explored these potentially important differences. This study sought consensus from a sample of service users regarding priorities and preferences for treatment of psychosis.

Methods

A three-stage Delphi study exploring treatment priorities and preferences was conducted with a sample of mental health service users (“experts by experience”). After generation of an initial statement list (stage 1, N=6 participants), 64 diverse elements of mental health treatment were rated during a two-stage online survey process (stage 2, N=32; stage 3, N=21).

Results

Fifteen of 64 treatment-related statements were endorsed as important or essential treatment priorities or preferences by more than 80% of participants during stage 2. Two further statements were similarly endorsed during stage 3.

Conclusions

This study is among the first of its kind and highlights the importance of assessing individual treatment priorities.