Multidisciplinary team members’ experiences of team formulation: A thematic analysis

Part 1: Literature Review - It is well-known that burnout is high in Community Mental Health Nurses. This has been associated with the workplace environment and tasks. Despite this, Community Mental Health Nurses are often based within multidisciplinary teams. In order to provide support for fellow team members, as well as offer an ‘alternative’ perspective, Clinical Psychologists have been offering ‘team formulation’. This is of particular interest within the clinical field of ‘psychosis’ where there continues to be uncertainty about using a diagnostic or formulation-based approach; it remains a highly contested area. Part 2: Research Report - The review of the literature aimed to examine quantitative studies and determine correlates and predictors of stress and burnout within Community Mental Health Nurses. Nine papers met the inclusion criteria, all of them cross-sectional studies. A narrative synthesis of the findings is presented using a framework of ‘individual’ and ‘situational’ factors. There was strong evidence to suggest that situational factors are highly associated with stress and burnout, however factors intrinsic to the individual were not routinely reported. Whilst burnout is operationalised within research by the use of a well-known measure, the relationship to other phenomena, such as stress and distress, is ill-defined. Part 3: Critical Appraisal - The research aim was to explore the experiences of multidisciplinary team members who have attended Team Formulation sessions within Early Intervention services. A thematic analysis was undertaken on the eleven interviews and three main themes were generated: team formulation offers a different perspective; the difference is valuable; and connection within the collective. These findings are considered within the evidence base for psychological formulation, as well as reflective practice and self-care. A reflective account of the research process is contained within the critical appraisal.