The need for psychiatric patients and their family members to have
access to quality user-friendly services has been studied for decades,
yet few improvements have been made in treatment services. This study
aims to explain how patients and family members have experienced
facilitators of improvements, and their thoughts about barriers in the
implementation of changes. An explanatory qualitative design was
adopted. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with eight
focus groups made up of a total of 35 participants from mental health
associations in Finland. The Theoretical Domains Framework guided the
deductive data analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting
Qualitative Studies (COREQ) was followed in the study. Participants in
patient and family member associations had similar experiences and
thoughts about facilitators of improvements in psychiatric services and
barriers in the implementation of changes. For example, both participant
groups experienced that promoting more positive roles of professionals
could facilitate improvements in psychiatric care. On the other hand, a
lack of theoretical competence and interpersonal skills of professionals
could hinder change. We conclude that many of the facilitators that
patients and families suggested could be addressed by enhancing
collaboration and communication, having a more person-centred approach,
focusing on recovery throughout the course of care, and acknowledging
staff's well-being at work. Second, the barriers to implementing changes
centre around the limited knowledge and skills of staff, and a
paternalistic system that focuses on managing risk and administering
treatment.