Patient Participation in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings in Residential Mental Health Services: An Explorative Study of Patients' Perception.

Introduction: The lack of evidence of mental health patients' perception on patient participation in multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) is a potential threat to the person-centeredness of care.

Aim: To explore the perceptions of mental health patients regarding patient participation in MTMs and to identify factors associated with these perceptions.

Method: In a cross-sectional study, 127 former and 109 currently admitted mental health patients completed the Patient Participation during Team Meetings Questionnaire (PaPaT-Q). The STROBE-checklist was used for reporting the study.

Results: Overall, patients' perceptions were positive. Former patients expressed greater willingness to participate in MTMs, considered participation as more important, and felt more competent. These patients also exhibited a stronger preference for an autonomous role in medical decision making when participating in MTMs. The perception varied across factors such as gender, educational level, nature of psychological complaints and prior experience(s) with participation in MTMs.

Discussion: These findings may help mental healthcare professionals to become more aware to factors associated with mental health patients' perception of patient participation in MTMs.

Implications: The results can be used by mental healthcare professionals to motivate mental health patients in an even more tailor-made basis to participate in MTMs when admitted in a hospital.