Service user perceptions of involvement in developing NICE mental health guidelines: A grounded theory study.
OBJECTIVE
Although the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) mandates service user involvement in developing treatment guidelines, questions arise concerning appropriate mechanisms of involvement and its impact. This study sought to elicit users' perceptions of their involvement.


METHODS
Grounded theory was used to analyse transcripts from interviews with 10 service user guideline development group representatives.


RESULTS
Four categories emerged suggesting that participants drew upon expertise developed through experience and impact upon the process and product of guideline development. Unwritten rules and social comparisons influence deliberations.


CONCLUSIONS
Service users reported making a useful contribution despite intrinsic barriers.
Harding
Emma
E
Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. emma.harding@slam.nhs.uk <emma.harding@slam.nhs.uk>
Brown
Dora
D
Hayward
Mark
M
Pettinari
Catherine Johnson
CJ
D000047:Academies and Institutes; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016730:Program Development; D013222:State Medicine; D013240:Stereotyping; D006113:United Kingdom