Service Users' Priorities and Preferences for Treatment of Psychosis: a User-led Delphi Study

Objective: Service users may have different priorities and preferences for treatment compared with mental health professionals. Few studies have explored these potentially important differences. This study sought consensus from a sample of service users regarding priorities and preferences for treatment of psychosis.

Methods: A three-stage Delphi study exploring treatment priorities and preferences was conducted with a sample of mental health service users ("experts by experience"). After generation of an initial statement list (stage 1, N=6 participants), 64 diverse elements of mental health treatment were rated during a two-stage online survey process (stage 2, N=32; stage 3, N=21).

Results: Fifteen of 64 treatment-related statements were endorsed as important or essential treatment priorities or preferences by more than 80% of participants during stage 2. Two further statements were similarly endorsed during stage 3.

Conclusions: This study is among the first of its kind and highlights the importance of assessing individual treatment priorities.