In our latest #OurEntrepreneurs profile we meet cohort 8 Clinical Entrepreneur Marta Chmielowska, Mental Health Researcher.
Tell us a bit about yourself
As a mental health researcher at NELFT and PhD candidate at UCL, I am dedicated to developing interventions that promote compassionate and respectful practices within mental health services. My goal is to improve patient well-being and autonomy by advocating for the rights of people with mental illness. I hope to not only improve individual health outcomes, but also raise standards within the mental health system as a whole.
Name: Marta Chmielowska
Occupation: Mental Health Researcher.
Location: North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT)
Outside the academic world, salsa dancing is my ultimate passion, perfectly suited to my cheeky personality. It is not just a hobby; it is where I unwind and feel genuinely happy. It is my go-to for relaxation and fun, a necessary break from the intensity of my work. When I am not immersed in research or swept up in the passion of salsa dancing, I usually enjoy cherished moments with my loving boyfriend and our adorable cavapoo.
Tell us about your innovation
My innovation, which stems from my PhD research, aims to revolutionise treatment of mental illness by addressing the crucial need for better understanding and implementation of shared decision making in mental health care. With the support provided by the NHS CEP, I plan to translate this research into a cutting-edge digital platform. This platform will aim to serve as a comprehensive assessment tool, enabling clinicians, patients, and their families to reflect on their interactions after clinical appointments. By providing actionable feedback and recommendations, stakeholders can work towards more effective, patient-centred care.
My vision is to create a tool that not only improves the quality of mental health care, but also fosters a culture of transparency and accountability within the health system. By prioritising continuous improvement and investing profits in further research, my goal is to cultivate a more compassionate, respectful mental health environment that benefits patients, their families, and clinicians alike.
Despite the NHS’s commitment to person-centred care, especially for people with severe mental illness, there is a gap between policy and practice. This gap exists even in the face of explicit ethical and legal guidelines, including the Montgomery judgment, the Mental Capacity Act, NICE guidelines, and the NHS Long Term Plan, all of which strongly advocate the widespread adoption of shared decision making to improve person-centred care. The main challenge of implementing shared decision making in mental health services lies in the lack of targeted, mental health-specific tools for this purpose.
My initiative aims to integrate a detailed shared decision-making process into everyday mental healthcare. At the heart of this effort is the development of the first patient experience questionnaire of shared decision making in mental health, created from the scratch with the input of clinicians, people with mental illness, and families. The goal is to use this tool to improve patient outcomes by making sure that treatment plans reflect what patients prefer, which should also help reduce hospital costs and prevent worsening of symptoms.
This effort aligns with the NHS’s goals to reduce mental health inequalities, brings us closer to real person-centred mental healthcare, and shows our commitment to improving care quality through shared decision making.
Why did you apply to join the programme, and what are you most looking forward to?
I learned about the NHS CEP through an email from my NHS trust, and it immediately caught my attention. I explored the link and discovered a chance to combine my interest in innovation and mental health advocacy, with the support needed to make a significant impact.
After seven years in the NELFT research and development department, coordinating clinical trials, I have seen first-hand the communication and decision-making challenges faced by patients, families, and clinicians. These experiences motivated my project and application to the NHS CEP in the hope of addressing these issues on a larger scale.
I hope the programme will support me by providing access to valuable resources, mentoring and networking opportunities. I am particularly looking forward to receiving guidance on refinement and implementation of my questionnaire. Collaborative opportunities will help me overcome challenges and accelerate the development of this project. Overall, I would like to use the support provided by the programme to effectively transform my innovation into a practical tool that can have a positive impact on the provision of mental health services.
What are your ambitions for the next year?
Next year, my main goal is to take my project to the next level by getting the prototype of the digital shared decision making tool ready for real-world testing and evaluation. I plan to conduct a study in two NHS mental health trusts to examine how well the prototype works in different clinical settings, focusing on its acceptability and feasibility. This will mark a significant step forward in fine-tuning the tool’s deployment and demonstrating its potential to improve shared decision making processes in mental health. In addition, this study is a crucial step towards wider acceptance and integration of the new tool within the NHS. By demonstrating clear results and benefits, I hope to get the support of key stakeholders and set the stage for the widespread use of the tool in mental health.
Why do you think innovation is important in healthcare?
Innovation in healthcare is a key element in transforming patient outcomes and improving the quality of care within our systems. As the NHS embarks on a journey of digital transformation, my project aligns with this strategic direction and emphasises the importance of integrating digital solutions to improve patient care, inclusivity, and personalised health solutions.
How can we find out more?
For further information, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter. To explore my research and publications, you can find my academic work on ResearchGate and for direct inquiries and potential collaborations, please email me.