A Delphi survey of the views of adult male patients with personality disorders on psychoeducation and social problem-solving therapy.
BACKGROUND
Psychoeducation and social problem-solving therapy are treatment components that work well in tandem for offenders with personality disorders, hence it is worthwhile to maintain and improve their effectiveness.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to seek patients' views of these therapies to contribute to their development.


METHODS
A Delphi survey was conducted with all 12 male inpatients of a personality disorder hospital treatment unit.


RESULTS
Round 1 produced 30 statements for psychoeducation and 59 for social problem-solving therapy to be rated in Round 2. There was consensus at a level of 70% for all items. Both psychoeducation and social problem-solving therapies were viewed as useful by these patients. The men also suggested improvements in psychoeducation, including minimizing the delay between assessment and feedback, provision of reference material, preparation for the work and support afterwards. Areas identified for improvement in social problem-solving therapy included more frequent review of progress, greater consistency of delivery, eliciting problems more effectively, providing reference material, supporting patients in group work, and the development of an advanced therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
A Delphi approach to evaluation of therapies with the people receiving them is not only feasible but seems to offer a practical way of making useful clinical adjustments to the work. Further research with larger samples might usefully focus on whether such an approach enhances treatment compliance.
McMurran
Mary
M
School of Community Health Sciences, Division of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. Mary.McMurran@nottingham.ac.uk
Wilmington
Rebekah
R
D000328:Adult; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012940:Social Problems / Q000517:prevention & control*