Best practice when service users do not consent to sharinginformation with carers: National multimethod study

BackgroundService users with psychosis may not consent to sharing information withcarers. However, carers require access to relevant information to supportthem in their role.AimsTo inform clinical practice when service users withhold consent to shareinformation with their carer.MethodStudy data were derived from a synthesis of policy review(n=91), national survey (n=595) andindividual interviews (n=24).ResultsKey principles to guide information-sharing practices were identified.Service users highlighted confidentiality being guaranteed by consentprocesses. Carers suggested a ‘culture shift’ was required, withprofessionals trained to work with carers. Professionals emphasisedmental capacity, professional judgement and the context of care. A bestpractice framework is proposed.ConclusionsAn important distinction is between general information, which can alwaysbe shared without consent, and personal information, which is new to thecarer and where consent needs to be considered. Clinical judgement iscentral to balancing conflicting ethical imperatives in this area.