Barriers and Solutions to Implementing Metabolic Risk Assessment in a Secondary Mental Health Service

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to understand the barriers and resulting solutions encountered by mental health service staff during the implementation of a metabolic risk assessment programme. METHOD: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were held with key programme staff. Thematic analysis was performed on the resulting data. RESULTS: Barriers identified included an existing mindset that care of service users' physical health is not part of Mental Health Service 'core business'; the lack of processes that ensure consistent implementation of risk assessment; and lack of resources in terms of equipment and staff time/manpower. Solutions identified were categorized as: systems and process issues; staff training or education issues; issues requiring attention at an organizational level; and issues relating to service users, their family and communities. CONCLUSIONS: A valuable programme that contributes to the improved physical health of service users has been developed and implemented. However, a number of barriers to wider adoption were identified. Solutions to a number of these barriers were identified during implementation.