Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment

Kim Jørgensen; Birgitte Lerbæk; Jesper Frederiksen; Emma Watson; Mathias Søren Hansen; Morten Hansen; Rikke Juhl; Anna Bay Østergaard; Merete Bjerrum; Bengt Karlsson

doi:10.1080/01612840.2025.2456180

Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment

Kim Jørgensen^*, Birgitte Lerbæk, Jesper Frederiksen, Emma Watson, Mathias Søren Hansen, Morten Hansen, Rikke Juhl, Anna Bay Østergaard, Merete Bjerrum, Bengt Karlsson

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Public Health - Department of Science in Nursing

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Recovery-oriented approaches in mental health emphasize personal growth, agency, and meaningful community integration. While endorsed by policies and reforms, the practical implementation of such approaches remains challenging, particularly in settings like Denmark, where structural fragmentation, professional hierarchies, and resource constraints may limit the adoption of holistic recovery principles.

METHODS: This qualitative study employed focus group interviews with 21 health professionals from inpatient units and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Danish mental health services. Using inductive content analysis, we examined participants' perceptions, understandings, and experiences in implementing personal recovery-oriented practices.

RESULTS: Four categories emerged: (1) "Creating New Control in Recovery" highlighted the importance of personal agency and collaborative care involving patients, families, and community stakeholders; (2) "Recovery-Oriented Practice within Professional Parameters" underscored efforts to balance patient preferences with clinical responsibilities; (3) "Barriers to Implementing Recovery-Oriented Practice" revealed systemic constraints, resource limitations, and emotional strain on staff; and (4) "Advocating for a Paradigm Shift towards Recovery-Oriented Approaches" emphasized the desire for interprofessional collaboration, the inclusion of peer workers, and structural reforms.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that while Danish health professionals recognize the value of personal recovery-oriented care, their capacity to realize this approach is constrained by organizational structures, professional hierarchies, and limited resources. Strengthening systemic support, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and integrating peer expertise are critical to fostering more equitable, person-centered mental health services. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of recovery-oriented implementation in European contexts and may inform strategies that better support professionals and service users in achieving sustained, meaningful recovery.

Original language	English
Journal	Issues in Mental Health Nursing
Volume	46
Issue	2
Pages (from-to)	197-205
Number of pages	9
ISSN	0161-2840
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2025.2456180
Publication status	Published - Feb 2025

Keywords

Humans
Community Mental Health Services/organization & administration
Denmark
Mental Disorders/therapy
Qualitative Research
Attitude of Health Personnel
Focus Groups
Female
Male
Adult
Middle Aged
Health Personnel/psychology

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Jørgensen, K., Lerbæk, B., Frederiksen, J., Watson, E., Søren Hansen, M., Hansen, M., Juhl, R., Bay Østergaard, A., Bjerrum, M., & Karlsson, B. (2025). Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 46(2), 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2025.2456180

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title = "Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment",

abstract = "INTRODUCTION: Recovery-oriented approaches in mental health emphasize personal growth, agency, and meaningful community integration. While endorsed by policies and reforms, the practical implementation of such approaches remains challenging, particularly in settings like Denmark, where structural fragmentation, professional hierarchies, and resource constraints may limit the adoption of holistic recovery principles.METHODS: This qualitative study employed focus group interviews with 21 health professionals from inpatient units and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Danish mental health services. Using inductive content analysis, we examined participants' perceptions, understandings, and experiences in implementing personal recovery-oriented practices.RESULTS: Four categories emerged: (1) {"}Creating New Control in Recovery{"} highlighted the importance of personal agency and collaborative care involving patients, families, and community stakeholders; (2) {"}Recovery-Oriented Practice within Professional Parameters{"} underscored efforts to balance patient preferences with clinical responsibilities; (3) {"}Barriers to Implementing Recovery-Oriented Practice{"} revealed systemic constraints, resource limitations, and emotional strain on staff; and (4) {"}Advocating for a Paradigm Shift towards Recovery-Oriented Approaches{"} emphasized the desire for interprofessional collaboration, the inclusion of peer workers, and structural reforms.DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that while Danish health professionals recognize the value of personal recovery-oriented care, their capacity to realize this approach is constrained by organizational structures, professional hierarchies, and limited resources. Strengthening systemic support, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and integrating peer expertise are critical to fostering more equitable, person-centered mental health services. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of recovery-oriented implementation in European contexts and may inform strategies that better support professionals and service users in achieving sustained, meaningful recovery.",

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author = "Kim J{\o}rgensen and Birgitte Lerb{\ae}k and Jesper Frederiksen and Emma Watson and \{S{\o}ren Hansen\}, Mathias and Morten Hansen and Rikke Juhl and \{Bay {\O}stergaard\}, Anna and Merete Bjerrum and Bengt Karlsson",

year = "2025",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1080/01612840.2025.2456180",

language = "English",

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Jørgensen, K, Lerbæk, B, Frederiksen, J, Watson, E, Søren Hansen, M, Hansen, M, Juhl, R, Bay Østergaard, A, Bjerrum, M & Karlsson, B 2025, 'Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment', Issues in Mental Health Nursing, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2025.2456180

Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment. / Jørgensen, Kim; Lerbæk, Birgitte; Frederiksen, Jesper et al.
In: Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Vol. 46, No. 2, 02.2025, p. 197-205.

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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T1 - Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment

AU - Jørgensen, Kim

AU - Lerbæk, Birgitte

AU - Frederiksen, Jesper

AU - Watson, Emma

AU - Søren Hansen, Mathias

AU - Hansen, Morten

AU - Juhl, Rikke

AU - Bay Østergaard, Anna

AU - Bjerrum, Merete

AU - Karlsson, Bengt

PY - 2025/2

Y1 - 2025/2

N2 - INTRODUCTION: Recovery-oriented approaches in mental health emphasize personal growth, agency, and meaningful community integration. While endorsed by policies and reforms, the practical implementation of such approaches remains challenging, particularly in settings like Denmark, where structural fragmentation, professional hierarchies, and resource constraints may limit the adoption of holistic recovery principles.METHODS: This qualitative study employed focus group interviews with 21 health professionals from inpatient units and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Danish mental health services. Using inductive content analysis, we examined participants' perceptions, understandings, and experiences in implementing personal recovery-oriented practices.RESULTS: Four categories emerged: (1) "Creating New Control in Recovery" highlighted the importance of personal agency and collaborative care involving patients, families, and community stakeholders; (2) "Recovery-Oriented Practice within Professional Parameters" underscored efforts to balance patient preferences with clinical responsibilities; (3) "Barriers to Implementing Recovery-Oriented Practice" revealed systemic constraints, resource limitations, and emotional strain on staff; and (4) "Advocating for a Paradigm Shift towards Recovery-Oriented Approaches" emphasized the desire for interprofessional collaboration, the inclusion of peer workers, and structural reforms.DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that while Danish health professionals recognize the value of personal recovery-oriented care, their capacity to realize this approach is constrained by organizational structures, professional hierarchies, and limited resources. Strengthening systemic support, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and integrating peer expertise are critical to fostering more equitable, person-centered mental health services. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of recovery-oriented implementation in European contexts and may inform strategies that better support professionals and service users in achieving sustained, meaningful recovery.

AB - INTRODUCTION: Recovery-oriented approaches in mental health emphasize personal growth, agency, and meaningful community integration. While endorsed by policies and reforms, the practical implementation of such approaches remains challenging, particularly in settings like Denmark, where structural fragmentation, professional hierarchies, and resource constraints may limit the adoption of holistic recovery principles.METHODS: This qualitative study employed focus group interviews with 21 health professionals from inpatient units and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Danish mental health services. Using inductive content analysis, we examined participants' perceptions, understandings, and experiences in implementing personal recovery-oriented practices.RESULTS: Four categories emerged: (1) "Creating New Control in Recovery" highlighted the importance of personal agency and collaborative care involving patients, families, and community stakeholders; (2) "Recovery-Oriented Practice within Professional Parameters" underscored efforts to balance patient preferences with clinical responsibilities; (3) "Barriers to Implementing Recovery-Oriented Practice" revealed systemic constraints, resource limitations, and emotional strain on staff; and (4) "Advocating for a Paradigm Shift towards Recovery-Oriented Approaches" emphasized the desire for interprofessional collaboration, the inclusion of peer workers, and structural reforms.DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that while Danish health professionals recognize the value of personal recovery-oriented care, their capacity to realize this approach is constrained by organizational structures, professional hierarchies, and limited resources. Strengthening systemic support, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and integrating peer expertise are critical to fostering more equitable, person-centered mental health services. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of recovery-oriented implementation in European contexts and may inform strategies that better support professionals and service users in achieving sustained, meaningful recovery.

KW - Humans

KW - Community Mental Health Services/organization & administration

KW - Denmark

KW - Mental Disorders/therapy

KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Attitude of Health Personnel

KW - Focus Groups

KW - Female

KW - Male

KW - Adult

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Health Personnel/psychology

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U2 - 10.1080/01612840.2025.2456180

DO - 10.1080/01612840.2025.2456180

M3 - Journal article

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SN - 0161-2840

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SP - 197

EP - 205

JO - Issues in Mental Health Nursing

JF - Issues in Mental Health Nursing

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ER -

Healthcare Professionals' Experience with the Implementation of a Recovery-Oriented Approach across in-Patient Units and Assertive Community Treatment

Abstract

Keywords

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