The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health services
Abstract Background In recent decades, mental health services have been challenged to offer evidence-based practices (EBPs) that are person-centered, human rights- and recovery-oriented. The Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) program aims to promote recovery and enhance individuals’ ability to li...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12907-2 |
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| author | Kristin B. Ørjasæter Tone Winnem Kristin Heiervang Ottar Ness Kim T. Mueser |
| author_facet | Kristin B. Ørjasæter Tone Winnem Kristin Heiervang Ottar Ness Kim T. Mueser |
| author_sort | Kristin B. Ørjasæter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In recent decades, mental health services have been challenged to offer evidence-based practices (EBPs) that are person-centered, human rights- and recovery-oriented. The Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) program aims to promote recovery and enhance individuals’ ability to live well. Investigating the IMR program from the perspective of mental health practitioners is crucial to improve recovery-oriented care and optimize program delivery. Methods This study aimed to develop knowledge whether IMR, as an EBP, can function as a recovery-oriented practice (ROP) within secondary mental health care services. Seven focus groups were conducted, each consisting of two to eight mental health practitioners with different professional backgrounds and experiences. Altogether, 36 practitioners from five mental health hospitals and district psychiatric centers in Norway participated. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results The results show that IMR (a) actively facilitates the alignment of coping mechanisms with patients’ lives, and (b) emphasizes a recovery-oriented approach in the delivery of services. Mental health practitioners perceive IMR as inherently recovery-oriented. Although ROPs and EBPs are often considered to function in opposition, to the practitioners in our study they were neither contradictory nor mutually exclusive but complementary and with the potential to bring out the best in each other to support patients’ recovery processes. Conclusion IMR, as an evidence-based, recovery-oriented program, bridges psychiatry and mental health recovery. However, challenges arise from its illness-oriented approach and language, as well as its emphasis on individual recovery aspects. While IMR underscores the social aspects of recovery, it is essential to highlight the social, and societal factors in individuals’ recovery processes within the program. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-762eefe6d97d47889584d8eb2d2bb1d4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-762eefe6d97d47889584d8eb2d2bb1d42025-08-20T02:34:17ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-05-0125111210.1186/s12913-025-12907-2The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health servicesKristin B. Ørjasæter0Tone Winnem1Kristin Heiervang2Ottar Ness3Kim T. Mueser4Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Division of Public Health and Community Participation, Nord UniversityWSO- We Shall Overcome. User and Interest Organization for Human Rights, Self-determination, and Dignity in Mental HealthDepartment of Research and Development, Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University HospitalDepartment of Education and Lifelong Learning, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyCenter for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Departments of Occupational Therapy and Psychological & Brain Science, Boston UniversityAbstract Background In recent decades, mental health services have been challenged to offer evidence-based practices (EBPs) that are person-centered, human rights- and recovery-oriented. The Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) program aims to promote recovery and enhance individuals’ ability to live well. Investigating the IMR program from the perspective of mental health practitioners is crucial to improve recovery-oriented care and optimize program delivery. Methods This study aimed to develop knowledge whether IMR, as an EBP, can function as a recovery-oriented practice (ROP) within secondary mental health care services. Seven focus groups were conducted, each consisting of two to eight mental health practitioners with different professional backgrounds and experiences. Altogether, 36 practitioners from five mental health hospitals and district psychiatric centers in Norway participated. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results The results show that IMR (a) actively facilitates the alignment of coping mechanisms with patients’ lives, and (b) emphasizes a recovery-oriented approach in the delivery of services. Mental health practitioners perceive IMR as inherently recovery-oriented. Although ROPs and EBPs are often considered to function in opposition, to the practitioners in our study they were neither contradictory nor mutually exclusive but complementary and with the potential to bring out the best in each other to support patients’ recovery processes. Conclusion IMR, as an evidence-based, recovery-oriented program, bridges psychiatry and mental health recovery. However, challenges arise from its illness-oriented approach and language, as well as its emphasis on individual recovery aspects. While IMR underscores the social aspects of recovery, it is essential to highlight the social, and societal factors in individuals’ recovery processes within the program.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12907-2Evidence-based practiceFocus groupMental health practitionerMental illnessPsychosocial- treatmentRecovery |
| spellingShingle | Kristin B. Ørjasæter Tone Winnem Kristin Heiervang Ottar Ness Kim T. Mueser The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health services BMC Health Services Research Evidence-based practice Focus group Mental health practitioner Mental illness Psychosocial- treatment Recovery |
| title | The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health services |
| title_full | The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health services |
| title_fullStr | The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health services |
| title_full_unstemmed | The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health services |
| title_short | The illness management and recovery program: a contribution to recovery-oriented secondary mental health services |
| title_sort | illness management and recovery program a contribution to recovery oriented secondary mental health services |
| topic | Evidence-based practice Focus group Mental health practitioner Mental illness Psychosocial- treatment Recovery |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12907-2 |
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