The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionals
IntroductionThe present study is part of a large-scale original action-research project aiming to assess the introduction and implementation of the Open Dialogue approach within the clinical practice of an established multidisciplinary team in a Day Centre in Athens, Greece. More specifically, it ai...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1074203/full |
| _version_ | 1797820261757616128 |
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| author | Marina Christina Skourteli Philia Issari Lito Dimou Ariadni O. A. Antonopoulou Georgia Bairami Artemis Stefanidou V. Kouroglou Stelios Stylianidis Stelios Stylianidis |
| author_facet | Marina Christina Skourteli Philia Issari Lito Dimou Ariadni O. A. Antonopoulou Georgia Bairami Artemis Stefanidou V. Kouroglou Stelios Stylianidis Stelios Stylianidis |
| author_sort | Marina Christina Skourteli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe present study is part of a large-scale original action-research project aiming to assess the introduction and implementation of the Open Dialogue approach within the clinical practice of an established multidisciplinary team in a Day Centre in Athens, Greece. More specifically, it aimed to explore the experiences of professionals within the process of implementation both in relation to their clinical practice and their professional identity.MethodsData collection employed a focus group, which was set up to explore professional reflections of the implementation and research processes since the introduction of the model. Thematic Analysis of transcripts revealed two main themes that correspond to the impact of Open Dialogue on professionals’ clinical practice and on team dynamics, respectively.ResultsProfessionals identify several challenges in implementing OD, such as difficulties in linking theory to practice, containing uncertainty, and addressing cultural barriers to dialogical ways of working. Professionals further reflect on their own internal journey stemming from the implementation of Open Dialogue that has led them to greater openness and growth, personally and as a team.DiscussionThe role of mental health professionals is being acknowledged as being at the frontline of any meaningful psychiatric reform through the assimilation and promotion of humanistic paradigms aiming towards a change of culture in psychiatric care across different contexts. Despite variations in implementation across different contexts, the importance of consolidating and embracing Open Dialogue as a philosophical framework underpinning mental health care is being discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:35:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e3a8792615da4883a7e3fb469a8e2f89 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:35:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-e3a8792615da4883a7e3fb469a8e2f892023-05-25T15:51:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-05-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.10742031074203The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionalsMarina Christina Skourteli0Philia Issari1Lito Dimou2Ariadni O. A. Antonopoulou3Georgia Bairami4Artemis Stefanidou5V. Kouroglou6Stelios Stylianidis7Stelios Stylianidis8E.P.A.P.S.Y.—Association for Regional Development and Mental Health, Athens, GreeceLaboratory for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GreeceE.P.A.P.S.Y.—Association for Regional Development and Mental Health, Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Psychopathology, Social Psychiatry and Developmental Psychology, Panteion University, Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Psychopathology, Social Psychiatry and Developmental Psychology, Panteion University, Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Psychopathology, Social Psychiatry and Developmental Psychology, Panteion University, Athens, GreeceE.P.A.P.S.Y.—Association for Regional Development and Mental Health, Athens, GreeceE.P.A.P.S.Y.—Association for Regional Development and Mental Health, Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Psychopathology, Social Psychiatry and Developmental Psychology, Panteion University, Athens, GreeceIntroductionThe present study is part of a large-scale original action-research project aiming to assess the introduction and implementation of the Open Dialogue approach within the clinical practice of an established multidisciplinary team in a Day Centre in Athens, Greece. More specifically, it aimed to explore the experiences of professionals within the process of implementation both in relation to their clinical practice and their professional identity.MethodsData collection employed a focus group, which was set up to explore professional reflections of the implementation and research processes since the introduction of the model. Thematic Analysis of transcripts revealed two main themes that correspond to the impact of Open Dialogue on professionals’ clinical practice and on team dynamics, respectively.ResultsProfessionals identify several challenges in implementing OD, such as difficulties in linking theory to practice, containing uncertainty, and addressing cultural barriers to dialogical ways of working. Professionals further reflect on their own internal journey stemming from the implementation of Open Dialogue that has led them to greater openness and growth, personally and as a team.DiscussionThe role of mental health professionals is being acknowledged as being at the frontline of any meaningful psychiatric reform through the assimilation and promotion of humanistic paradigms aiming towards a change of culture in psychiatric care across different contexts. Despite variations in implementation across different contexts, the importance of consolidating and embracing Open Dialogue as a philosophical framework underpinning mental health care is being discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1074203/fullopen dialogueimplementationmental health multidisciplinary teamaction researchinterpersonal dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Marina Christina Skourteli Philia Issari Lito Dimou Ariadni O. A. Antonopoulou Georgia Bairami Artemis Stefanidou V. Kouroglou Stelios Stylianidis Stelios Stylianidis The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionals Frontiers in Psychology open dialogue implementation mental health multidisciplinary team action research interpersonal dynamics |
| title | The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionals |
| title_full | The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionals |
| title_fullStr | The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionals |
| title_short | The introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in Athens, Greece: experiences and reflections of mental health professionals |
| title_sort | introduction and implementation of open dialogue in a day center in athens greece experiences and reflections of mental health professionals |
| topic | open dialogue implementation mental health multidisciplinary team action research interpersonal dynamics |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1074203/full |
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