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This paper describes how Service Users and researchers worked together to develop a measure of recovery from psychosis “the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery from psychosis” (QPR, Neil et al., 2009), and illustrates this experience from both perspectives. The obstacles faced and how these were overcome are described. It was found that it was possible for Service Users and non-Service Users to work collaboratively, that there were unique contributions from each and a sharing of areas of expertise, for example, research knowledge and expertise by experience. This paper highlights advantages of working collaboratively. It is hoped that sharing these experiences will encourage other researchers and Service Users to embrace this way of working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To develop and validate a short recovery questionnaire in collaboration with service users. Method: 126 people with experience of psychosis were recruited via the National Health Service (NHS) Trust and self-help organisations nationwide. Items were generated from in-depth interviews into recovery and developed into a 25-item self-report questionnaire. Data were factor analysed, and a final 22-item measure (the QPR) was tested for reliability and validity. To assess validity the QPR was administered together with measures of: psychological distress (the General Health Questionnaire - GHQ); empowerment (the Making Decisions and Empowerment Scale - MDES), and quality of life (the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale - SQLS). The QPR was administered again at two weeks to assess reliability. Results: The QPR is comprised of two subscales (intrapersonal and interpersonal). Internal consistency and reliability of the scale was satisfactory. There was a high level of association with MDES, GHQ and SQLS scores, and between QPR scores at time one and time two. Conclusions: The QPR possesses internal consistency, construct validity and reliability, and promises to be a useful tool for assisting clients to set goals, evaluation of these goals and promoting recovery from psychosis in routine service evaluation and research trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health care in the United Kingdom is rapidly changing, but many commentators, particularly sociologists and psychologists, view systems as remaining wedded to a medical model and not "fit for purpose". If services are to improve, the way that mental health problems are understood by the services providing care needs to change radically. Aims: To illustrate how a psychological model of mental disorder - the "mediating psychological processes model"- could assist mental health service policy development and implementation. Method: A review of selected literature and policy documents was conducted. Results: A "manifesto" for mental health service policy is presented, based on psychological principles. Conclusions: Psychological models, at least in addition to medical approaches, could better inform policy and service design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]