Care giving and receiving for people with complex emotional needs within a crisis resolution/home treatment setting: A qualitative evidence synthesis

Background: A growing body of qualitative evidence focusing upon the experiences of care within Crisis Resolution/Home Treatment (CRHT) is emerging, however, a firm evidence-base regarding both the giving and receiving of care for those with complex emotional needs (CEN) in this context is yet to be established. Objective: A qualitative evidence synthesis was used to develop a comprehensive understanding of how crisis care for people with CEN is experienced by both those giving and receiving care, within the context of CRHT. Method: Findings from 19 research papers considering both clinician and service users’ experiential accounts of CRHT were synthesised using meta-ethnography. Findings: Both the giving and receiving of care within a CRHT context was experienced across four related meta-themes: ‘contextual’, ‘functional’, ‘relational’ and ‘decisional’. Discussion: Service user accounts focused upon relational aspects, highlighting a significance to their experience of care. Meanwhile, clinicians focused more upon contextual issues linked to the management of organisational anxieties and resources. For those with CEN, a clinician’s focus upon risk alone highlighted power differentials in the caring relationship. Conclusions: There is a need for nurses to connect with the experience of the person in crisis, ensuring a better balance between contextual issues and relational working.