User-led assessment of a recovery service using DREEM

Abstract

Aims and method: To develop a service development plan supporting recovery-based practice through collaborative service user-led methodology, and contribute to the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE pilot evaluation of recovery sensitive measures. Staff, residents and service user group representatives collaborated in implementing the Developing Recovery Enhancing Environments Measure (DREEM) in a residential rehabilitation service. Results: Staff and residents demonstrated a shared vision of recovery. Many area were being addressed to a high level but others showed areas of deficiency, and illustrated discrepant views between staff and residents, which provided a focus for the development of a clinical service action plan. Clinical Implications: As an experimental measure DREEM provides a user-led structure, which enables services to measure their commitment to, and effectiveness in, providing recovery-based care. It focuses service development and enhances collaborative work with service users, thus mirroring the principles of recovery it measures. It merits further evaluation and consolidation.