ART-VI study: active recovery triad visual impairment

Why are we doing this study?

In the Netherlands there are an estimated 10,000 people with visual impairment and a serious mental illness (SMI). A small number of these people receive intensive and personalized long-term care from the Robert Coppes Foundation. These clients often need more independence and connectedness, but have a lot of trouble achieving this. Health care providers are faced with a difficult dilemma between working on recovery and providing safety and protection. The principles of Active Recovery Triad (ART) could provide a solution for this. Within ART, openness, attention, trust and the use of a present approach are important to be able to work on recovery and personal growth. The trick is to challenge clients with unwavering trust, unbiased listening and being close. This takes place within an active ‘triad’ of the client, his/her loved ones and healthcare providers. Within ART, Moral Deliberation is used to unravel ethical dilemmas experienced by care providers.

What is the aim of this study?

1. Main question: How can ART be used in long-term care for clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?

• Sub-question: What barriers and facilitators are experienced and what strategies are offered by different stakeholders for the implementation of ART in long-term care for clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?
• Sub-question: What ethical dilemmas are experienced when working on recovery and providing safety and protection to clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?
• Sub-question: How can lessons from Moral Deliberation be incorporated in the implementation of ART in long-term care for clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?

2. Main question: What is the influence of the use of ART-VI on the quality of care and quality of life of clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?

• Sub-question: Does the use of ART-VI lead to an improvement in quality of care for clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?
• Sub-question: Does the use of ART-VI improve recovery and self-reliance in clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?
• Sub-question: Does the use of ART-VI improve the mental health of clients (18+) with visual impairment and SMI?
• Sub-question: At what moments does progress, stagnation and/or relapse take place in the mental health of clients?

3. Main question: Is ART-VI properly applied in long-term care for clients (18+) with a visual impairment and SMI?

• Sub-question: Does ART-VI match the wishes and needs of clients, relatives and care providers who work within the triad?
• Sub-question: What is the extent to which ART-VI is used according to the guidelines (i.e. according to the ART monitor and the Recovery Oriented Practices Index (ROPI) for clients (18+) with a visual impairment and SMI ?

How do we conduct this study?

On the basis of Participatory Action Research with qualitative and quantitative research methods, an appropriate ART model is developed for this target group, its effects on quality of care and quality of life are measured, and an extensive process evaluation is performed.

Promoters

Prof.dr. Ruth van Nispen, Dr. Hilde van der Aa