Participants and health professionals’ experiences with family work in first episode psychosis

In the present study we wanted to examine psycho educational family work as experienced by patients suffering from first episode psychosis, their family members and health professionals’ conducting the same intervention. A qualitative explorative study was conducted in a natural setting. Twelve patients, fourteen family members and nine mental health professionals were interviewed and data was analyzed by systematic text condensation. Both patients and family members highlighted the importance of the relationship with the group leaders and to meet others in similar situations. Patients experienced a high level of anxiety and tension during the group meetings and the group format was demanding immediately after a psychotic episode. Real lifetime stories told by patients were experienced as essential and helped family members understand the nature of psychosis. The group leaders described an intervention where the participants experienced a milieu suitable for growth and recovery. However, patients still suffering from distressing symptoms and social skills deficits need time to recover before participating. The overall impression is that group leaders must have a considerable amount of knowledge, about the intervention, combined with clinical competence and experience in order to plan, recruit and provide psycho educational family work