Research Project: Counselling and Monitoring Depression in NHS

This research project assesses the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring in treating depression, specifically within the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. The study begins with an introduction highlighting the prevalence of anxiety and depression and the importance of effective treatments, especially considering the limitations of current therapies. The research aims to understand the concepts of counselling, monitoring, and depression within the NHS, identify the importance of these methods in patient care, and explore alternative approaches to depression treatment. The literature review explores various perspectives on depression, counselling practices, and the role of monitoring in health and social care settings. The methodology section outlines the research design, including the use of a descriptive design, an inductive approach, and an interpretivism research philosophy. Secondary data collection methods, snowball sampling, and thematic analysis are employed to analyze the data. The project also includes a Gantt chart for project management, outlining the timeline for various research activities. The overall objective is to provide insights into improving mental health services within the NHS and to contribute to the understanding of effective depression treatment strategies.

Research Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research title
Title - To assess the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring depression – a case study on
NHS (National Health Service)
Research project description
Introduction
In the present scenario, it has been found that prevalence of anxiety/depression is quite
high among individuals. However, treatment for the same is still not that effective or can be
considered as less than satisfactory. Anxiety and depression are mainly considered as co-
morbidities that are associated with COPD that are actually related to the poor health of
individuals. But, currently, there are no such therapies under clinical guidelines which can
perfectly cure and relieve anxiety and depression. In today’s era, it has been seen that the use of
counselling has proved to be an effectual measure by which distress of people in terms of
depression can be reduced to a high extent. In the recent years, it has become a highly popular
method as there is rapid growth of counselling in nations like UK for curing people who are
suffering with the issue of depression (Rajabi and KARJO, 2012). In the present study, there will
be discussion on assessing the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring depression with
respect to NHS which is the leading organisation in health and social care (HSC) sector of
United Kingdom.
Rationale of the study
Presently, due to increased stress among people because of rise in the competition level at
organisations, issues related to family and relationships with many others, problem of depression
is rising at a rapid pace. Number of people suffering with this issue are increasing at a fast rate
curing of whom in a perfect manner is still not possible for organisations operating in health and
social care sector. However, in the current scenario, firms like NHS have focused on the method
of counselling and monitoring of people suffering with depression from which it has been found
that there is a lot of improvement in individuals through the same. But, still there are many
people who actually do not believe in these methods as according to them, there is no such
treatment from which people having depression can be cured (Arip and et.al., 2011). Thus, in the
present report, there will be study made on assessing the effectiveness of counselling and
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monitoring depression with respect to NHS so that importance and benefits of same can be
explored and firms can encourage the same so as to cure patients suffering with this mental
disease.
Research aim and objectives
Aim – To assess the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring depression – a case study on
NHS
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of counselling, monitoring and depression in NHS
 To identify the importance of counselling and monitoring for curing depression in
patients of NHS
 To recommend different ways that NHS can adopt other than counselling and monitoring
to cure depression
Research questions:
1. What is the concept of counselling, monitoring and depression in NHS?
2. What is the importance of counselling and monitoring for curing depression in patients
of NHS?
3. How people suffering from depression can be cured by methods other than counselling
and monitoring?
Significance of research
The present research would prove to be highly helpful for the organisations operating in
health and social care sector of UK like NHS as they would become aware with the importance
of counselling and monitoring methods by which people suffering from the issue of depression
can be cured to a high extent. This study will help the scholar in making audience also
understand the value of methods of counselling and monitoring by which they can self-consult
good counsellors who can assist them or others whom they know in coping up with depression.
This study will help many researchers to conduct the study on same topic and get assistance from
this to reach at accurate and relevant conclusion (Brown and Harris, 2012). Further, Ph.D.
scholars who are researching in this subject only would also get benefit from this study.
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Literature review
In the words of Oranta and et.al., (2010) depression is a kind of condition in which a
person starts feeling discouraged, hopeless, de-motivated and sad as well as disinterest arises in
him/her regarding life and thus, sometimes they even try to end it by making suicidal attempts.
There are many kinds of depression and once it lasts for more than two weeks, they become a
very serious issue for the person as a major depressive person can even hurt others associated
with him/her as well. It is highly important to cure the patient as soon as possible because in
initial stages, treatment of the same is through counselling and monitoring while, after a long
time, these methods actually do not work.
According to MacPherson and et.al., (2013) in health and social care settings, counselling
is becoming one of the common trends that is increasing at a fast pace as used by maximum
firms in HSC sector of UK. In any health and social care setting like NHS, it is significant for all
employees that are working in the firm i.e. at all levels to listen to patients, clients, their friends
and relatives in such a way that their issues can be understood and resolved. In the similar way,
for patients suffering with depression, these firms are entitled to understand their symptoms and
reason behind the same and then expressing their views, concerns and emotions. In the process
of counselling, monitoring is done simultaneously as medical professionals keep on checking the
effects and improvement in the people that are going through with this mental disease.
However, it can be critically assessed as per the views of Cape and et.al., (2010) that
counselling and monitoring can prove to be complex and sometimes difficult interactions in case
if the staff is not skilled and knowledgeable enough to deal with these kinds of patients.
Therefore, it is important for health and social care staff to skills and necessary professional
boundaries that would help the people suffering with depression to get recover soon and to keep
them emotionally safe. In HSC settings like NHS, it is crucial for the workforce to be aware of
scope and limitations of helping relationships along with the way in which they can use their
knowledge and skills on the behalf of client. It can be said that the extent to which counsellors
listen the issues of people suffering with depression, more effectually they will be able to cure
them.
In accordance with the words of Merry and et.al., (2012) counselling services are offered
in a wide range of settings that play a significant role in influencing the kind of outcomes or
effects gained from the same. For example, it can be seen that counselling is available within the
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National Health Service. But, it is taken as the form of non-medical health care as it is not having
any scripture. However, the outcomes gained from counselling are evaluated with regard to the
mental health symptoms. Currently, there are many health and social care firms that are offering
counselling services like in a way of counselling of employers for employees which are mainly
considered as support services that render relevant effects on the respective person.
On the other hand, as per the views of Cooper, (2011) several organisations are there that
offer counselling and monitoring services to the general public around issues such as
relationships or bereavement that are proving to be highly effectual for the purpose of
contributing to non-statutory forms of social care. In such contexts relevant outcomes or effects
might include the well-being of others, such as children, as well as the social functioning and
well-being of clients themselves, creating further complexities in relation to the measurement of
effectiveness.
Research methodology
Research methodology is a set of tools and techniques which are used by the scholar in
order to conduct entire study in the most effective manner by using suitable methods depending
on the nature of subject. For assessing the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring
depression with reference to NHS, research methods used by the researcher are:
Research design – In the present study, as the topic is theoretical and requires in-depth
information regarding effectiveness of counselling and monitoring depression, descriptive
research design will be used that will help in gaining plenty of data from secondary sources (Yin,
2011).
Research approach – For assessing the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring
depression, inductive research approach will be used as per which researcher will at first collect
the specific detailed regarding subject and then depending on the same, a generalised conclusion
will be made that can be used by other scholars and firms as well.
Research philosophy – Interpretivism research philosophy will be used by the scholar as
per which it is assumed that people make their own choices and not connected with the laws of
science or nature (Interpretivism, 2014). With the help of same, research is conducted in a
detailed manner and with high validity as it considers true representation.
Data collection – In order to assess the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring
depression, secondary sources of gathering information will be used in which researcher will
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collect the data from various books, journals of different authors, online articles as well as
published material that will provide plenty of details regarding the subject of study (Creswell,
2012).
Sampling – Under non-probability sampling technique, snowball sampling will be used
by the researcher under which research participants would recruit other participants so that study
can be conducted. In actual, there is hidden population where potential participants are hard to
find. It will help the scholar to conduct study effectually as otherwise, it would not be possible
for him to carry out research due to lack of participants.
Data analysis - In the present study based on assessing the effectiveness of counselling
and monitoring depression, qualitative method of data analysis will be used as the topic does not
require any statistics or calculations as complete theory is needed to reach at the final aim (Petty,
Thomson and Stew, 2012). Under this method, tool of thematic analysis will be taken into
consideration by the scholar in which he will frame different themes depending on the subject of
study and on the basis of justification given by him with respect to the themes, final conclusion
will be made as well as relevant and appropriate recommendations would be suggested to resolve
the research problem.
Validity and reliability – Validity is the authenticity of information that is collected
from different secondary sources. It says that the data collected must be gained from authentic
and trustworthy sources so that valid results can be gained. On the contrary, reliability is the
extent to which results gained from present research are similar as that will be gained in the
future studies on same topic (Wahyuni, 2012). For the present study, it can be said the
information that scholar will use would be valid as well as reliable and true to his knowledge.
Gantt chart
Gantt chart is a kind of Bar Chart which is mainly used by the scholar so as to make a
schedule as per which research activities will be conducted. It is shown in the horizontal lines by
which timeline of each activity is represented that will be undertaken in the research. From
beginning to end, it acts as a summary of the project as all activities with their specific duration
are stated here. Gantt chart from the present study is shown as below:
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
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Preparing research
proposal
Deciding the aim and
objectives
Reviewing available
literature
Conducting research
methodology
Gathering data from
secondary sources
Analysing the
collected information
Framing final
conclusion
Giving appropriate
recommendations
Making corrections
based on feedback
Final submission
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TASK 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Critical review of key references
Literature review is one of the most important sections in a research as here, complete
details on the topic are gathered through secondary sources like books and journals of different
authors along with online articles and published material. Critical evaluation is made on this
information gathered where arguments of different authors are assessed and on the basis of same,
different themes are made. Therefore, in the present study, LR will help in framing the themes
and gaining final results with the justification of same.
In accordance with the Milgrom and et.al., (2011) counselling in health and social care
settings can be referred as the interaction that take place in between patient and medical
professional so that issue of individual can be understood by the respective counsellor by
effectively listening the same and helping them to get cured. Monitoring undergoes with
counselling only where the medical professional keep on checking the improvements that are
taking place in the patient who is suffering with any kind of mental disease like depression. On
the basis of same, further counselling sessions are taken and the patient is cured accordingly.
However, as per the views of McLeod, (2010) depression is that state of mind of a person where
he/she feels highly de-motivated and incapable as well as become disinterested in the life. It is a
condition when person finds no interest in anything, unable to sleep, keep on thinking, wants to
be alone as well as becomes uncomfortable in the public. Depression is highly dangerous for the
person who is suffering with it as if it is not detected in the initial stage, curing of same is almost
impossible. Therefore, it can be said that NHS has to adopt counselling and monitoring methods
for curing the patients having depression.
As per the views of Mead and et.al., (2010) counselling and monitoring proves to be
highly important for the patients suffering with depression because under these techniques, face
to face communication is done with people. If this communication is done in a healthy manner,
there are more chances to cure the person having depression because then they will explain their
actual issues and counsellor with understanding the same will be able to better treat the patient. It
can be critically assessed as per Van Der Meer and et.al., (2010) that in depression, person
become highly de-motivated and discouraged as well as he/she does not want to get involved
with anyone in the world. In this situation, if effective communication is done with the individual
through counselling, a strong relationship can be developed with him/her that will help the
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person to get recovered from the issue soon. It can be justified as per the results gained from the
survey made by NHS in the year 2010 where respondents agreed that counselling and
psychotherapy should be provided by the firm as these are highly effective and also, the firm was
counted to be at the number one position in delivering psychological therapies.
Patel and et.al., (2011) say that average life expectancy of people residing in the UK is
now 80 years in comparison with the overall global average, that is, 70 years. It is because; the
firms like NHS are making sincere and high efforts to cure chronic physical and mental illnesses.
Mental illness among people of UK can be taken as one of the leading causes of years lived with
disability which is having an adverse impact on individuals, families, communities along with
the entire economy. For example, it can be seen that there is huge socioeconomic impact of
depression on the UK as on annual basis, it has been estimated to be £5.8 billion who are the
people who have lost their employment due to having depression as well as £1.7 billion is for the
total service costs (Effectiveness of counselling, 2017). Therefore, in order to reduce this rate,
counselling and monitoring methods would play a significant role and thus, NHS should
encourage these practices at higher and more efficient manner.
According to Smith and et.al., (2017) there are some other ways too than counselling and
monitoring that NHS can use is like; patients who are with the primary condition of mild,
moderate and severe depression can be treated with Improving Access to Psychological
Therapies (IAPT) services. These services can be termed as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
for which firm makes the workforce trained enough regarding psychological approach so that
they can easily understand the issues and emotions of patients and help them to get recovered.
Therefore, NHS has recruited new Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) so that they
can provide effective treatment to the people suffering with moderate depression through
providing psycho-educational interventions that is having an alternative to make patients to step
up for high-intensity CBT therapists (Medical treatments for depression, 2017). Therefore, it can
be inferred that, NHS can use this therapy as well in order to make people recover soon who are
suffering with the issue of depression.
Rationale for conducting the review
It was important to conduct the literature review so as to assess the gap in between
previous and present study. It is because; earlier, many studies have been made on the topic of
depression and but no one of them was based on assessing the effectiveness of counselling and
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monitoring depression. Earlier, many methods were studied in order to cure this mental issue
however, no discussion was made on counselling. Therefore, with the help of this research,
scholar would come to find out the gap and based on this, corrective measures will be suggested
to fill the same. Reviewing the literature is crucial for researcher as only then, any kind of
justification based on topic can be made and final conclusion can be framed accordingly. In
addition to this, for the purpose of resolving research issue, that is, to assess the effectiveness of
counselling and monitoring depression with reference to NHS, literature review has been
conducted. Apart from that, one more rationale behind conducting this literature review is to
encourage the health and social care settings to use counselling and monitoring methods so that
people suffering with depression can be cured in an effectual manner.
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TASK 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research methodology is one of the most important parts of the research which provides
the structure for carrying out the study. It serves as an outline for determining the methods
through which the researcher can investigate the topic effectively. With the help of research
methodology, it helps the scholar to utilize the resources effectively so that they can gather the
appropriate data for the research. This section will help to identify different types of methods
which are feasible for the researcher for undertaking the study on the topic. This will provide
guide for diverse tools and techniques which are available for identifying the research topic.
Research design
Research design can be defined as the outline of the research which helps the researcher
to carry out the study effectively. The aim of the research design is that it aids in reducing the
chances of errors which are occurred at the time of carrying out the study. Besides this, it helps
the researcher in taking decisions about data analysis, sampling techniques which are required
for carrying the study (Wahyuni, 2012). Basically, there are three types of research design. One
is exploratory this design is adopted by the researcher only on those topics whose information
are not determined clearly. But according to this study, descriptive design is appropriate because
it aids in getting in depth information which can assist the researcher in arriving at the
appropriate conclusion.
Research approach
Research approach helps to determine the methods with the help of which the further
study can be carried out. For analysing the effectiveness of counselling and monitoring
depression, inductive design will be adopted by the scholar. This is the most suitable design
because in this, the specific data regarding the topic is gathered which will help in effectively
analysing the theories related to the topic. This approach aids in obtaining the data which are
new and this makes the research effective and authentic.
Research philosophy
Research philosophy can be defined as the principle through the gathered data can be
analysed effectively. With the help of this approach, the research is carried out systematically
with the least deviations. For carrying out the investigation on the current topic, interpretivism
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