Development and Evaluation of a Recovery College Fidelity Measure

Toney, Rebecca; Knight, Jane; Hamill, Kate; Taylor, Anna; Henderson, Claire; Crowther, Adam; Meddings, Sara; Barbic, Skye; Jennings, Helen; Pollock, Kristian; Bates, Peter; Repper, Julie; Slade, Mike

Abstract

Objective: Recovery Colleges are widespread, with little empirical research on their key components. This study aimed to characterise key components of Recovery Colleges, and to develop and evaluate (i) a developmental checklist and (ii) a quantitative fidelity measure.
Methods: Key components were identified through a systematised literature review, international expert consultation (n=77) and semi-structured interviews with Recovery College managers across England (n=10). A checklist was developed, and refined through semi-structured interviews with Recovery College students, trainers and managers (n=44) in three sites. A fidelity measure was adapted from the checklist and evaluated with Recovery College managers (n=39, 52%), clinicians providing psychoeducational courses (n=11) and adult education lecturers (n=10).
Results: Twelve components were identified, comprising seven non-modifiable components (Valuing equality; Learning; Tailored to the student; Co-production of the Recovery College; Social connectedness; Community focus; and Commitment to recovery) and five modifiable components (Available to all; Location; Distinctiveness of course content; Strengths-based; and Progressive). The checklist has service user student, peer trainer and manager versions. The fidelity measure meets scaling assumptions and demonstrates adequate internal consistency (0.72), test-retest reliability (0.60), content validity and discriminant validity.
Conclusions: Co-production and an orientation to adult learning should be the highest priority in developing Recovery Colleges. The creation of the first theory-based empirically-evaluated developmental checklist and fidelity measure (both downloadable at researchintorecovery.com/recollect) for Recovery Colleges will help service users understand what Recovery Colleges offer, will inform decision-making by clinicians and commissioners about Recovery Colleges,and will enable formal evaluation of their impact on students.

Citation

Toney, R., Knight, J., Hamill, K., Taylor, A., Henderson, C., Crowther, A., …Slade, M. (2019). Development and Evaluation of a Recovery College Fidelity Measure. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry / Revue Canadienene de Psychiatrie, 64(6), 405-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718815893

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 7, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Dec 30, 2018
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Deposit Date: Oct 8, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 8, 2018
• Journal: The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
• Print ISSN: 0706-7437
• Electronic ISSN: 1497-0015
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 405-414
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718815893
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1151480
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0706743718815893