Qualitative Research on the Topic of End-of-Life Care and a Palliative Care Approach in Persons with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: Reflections and Take-Home Messages.

Persons experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) constitute a small but vulnerable population in healthcare and society. Nonetheless, it is advocated to involve people with SPMI in research to improve how care is provided to them. However, qualitative research with this population is challenging due to several factors, including (self-) stigma, assessment of decision-making capacity, reduced communication skills, and the (perceived) risk of adverse events, resulting in relative scarcity in academic interest and scientific publications.

How to engage people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness in qualitative research: a descriptive and reflexive analysis.

Purpose: People experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) constitute a vulnerable population within the healthcare system and society. Similarly in research, there are perceived challenges in qualitative studies with this population due to several factors, including (self-)stigma, assessment of decision-making capacity, reduced communication skills and the (perceived) risk of adverse events, resulting in its scarcity.

Methods: In this contribution, the authors share their practical experiences of conducting qualitative research among this group of people, specifically addressing sensitive topics such as ongoing intensive care within a mental health facility and end-of-life care.

Ethical perspectives regarding Euthanasia, including in the context of adult psychiatry: a qualitative interview study among healthcare workers in Belgium.

Introduction: Previous research has explored euthanasia's ethical dimensions, primarily focusing on general practice and, to a lesser extent, psychiatry, mainly from the viewpoints of physicians and nurses. However, a gap exists in understanding the comprehensive value-based perspectives of other professionals involved in both somatic and psychiatric euthanasia. This paper aims to analyze the interplay among legal, medical, and ethical factors to clarify how foundational values shape the ethical discourse surrounding euthanasia in both somatic and psychiatric contexts.

Mapping the ethical aspects in end-of-life care for persons with a severe and persistent mental illness: A scoping review of the literature.

Persons with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) make up a vulnerable group within mental healthcare and society. Not only do they suffer from long-term, serious psychiatric disorders; they often also experience considerable problems in their psychosocial functioning. Research has disclosed that the care needs of this target group are complex, and that the life expectancy of these persons is significantly lower than in the general population.

Oyster Care: An Innovative Palliative Approach towards SPMI Patients.

Oyster Care is the result of the search by caregivers in Flanders, Belgium, to develop quality care for patients with a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). This article offers a conceptual analysis of the Oyster Care model, based on experiences, analysis, and reflection of the authors, and on several examples. The starting point of the development of this new care model is the complex and difficult context of the care for SPMI patients.