A Qualitative Exploration of Patient Perspectives on Solution-Focused Approaches in Nursing Practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64917/fmcs-012Keywords:
Solution-focused approaches, patient perspectives, nursing practice, qualitative research, strengths-based nursing, goal-oriented care, patient-centered care, therapeutic communication, empowerment, shared decision-making, healthcare outcomesAbstract
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is gaining recognition in healthcare for its emphasis on client strengths, resources, and future goals rather than dwelling on past problems. While its effectiveness has been demonstrated across various settings, including mental health and medical contexts, the patient's lived experience and perception of SFBT in nursing practice remain underexplored. This qualitative study aims to explore the perspectives of patients who have received SFBT from nurses, shedding light on what aspects of the approach they find helpful, how it impacts their perceived recovery, and their overall satisfaction. Understanding these patient voices is crucial for optimizing the application of SFBT in nursing, enhancing patient-centered care, and informing nursing education and clinical guidelines.
References
Aivalioti, E. I., Simos, P., Basta, M., & Vgontzas, A. N. (2023). Brief solution focused therapy on schizophrenia: a preliminary study of family characteristics and psychopathology. Psychiatriki, 34(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.22365/jpsych.2022.085
Beauchemin, J. D., Facemire, S. D., Pietrantonio, K. R., Yates, H. T., & Krueger, D. (2021). Solution-focused wellness coaching: a mixed method, longitudinal study with college students. Social Work in Mental Health, 19(1), 41–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2020.1861165
Carr, S. M., Smith, I. C., & Simm, R. (2014). Solution-focused brief therapy from the perspective of clients with long-term physical health conditions. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 19(4), 384–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.824594
Courtnage, A. (2020). Hoping for change: The role of hope in single-session therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 39(1), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2020.39.1.49
Dawes, N., Franklin, R., McIver, L., & Obed, J. (2019). Post-disaster mental health servicing in Pacific Island communities: An integrative review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101225
Edward, K.-L., & Welch, T. (2011). The extension of Colaizzi’s method of phenomenological enquiry. Contemporary Nurse, 39(2), 163–171. https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.2011.39.2.163
Erdoğan, E., & Demir, S. (2022). The effect of solution focused group psychoeducation applied to schizophrenia patients on self-esteem, perception of subjective recovery and internalized stigmatization. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 43(10), 944–954. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2022.2083735
Evans, N., & Evans, A.-M. (2013). Solution-focused approach therapy for mental health nursing students. British Journal of Nursing, 22(21), 1222–1226. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2013.22.21.1222
Froerer, A. S., Bolghan-Abadi, M., Chen, M., & Zhang, A. (2025). Meta-analysis of solution-focused brief therapy research conducted in iran: does outcome type, intervention modality, or delivery format make a difference? Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 51(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12759
Jerome, L., McNamee, P., Abdel-Halim, N., Elliot, K., & Woods, J. (2023). Solution-focused approaches in adult mental health research: A conceptual literature review and narrative synthesis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1068006
Jordan, S., & Kauffeld, S. (2020). A mixed methods study of effects and antecedents of solution-focused questions in coaching. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching & Mentoring, 18(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.24384/w8ne-fx80
Joubert, J., & Guse, T. (2021). A Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Intervention model to facilitate hope and subjective well-being among trauma survivors. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 51(4), 303–310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-021-09511-w
Kim, J., Jordan, S. S., Franklin, C., & Froerer, A. (2019). Is solution-focused brief therapy evidence-based? An update 10 years later. Families in Society, 100(2), 127–138. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389419841688
Kim, J. S., Franklin, C., Zhang, Y., Liu, X., Qu, Y., & Chen, H. (2015). Solution-focused brief therapy in China: A meta-analysis. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 24(3), 187–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2014.991983
Lee, Y., Cook, K., & Bronstein, L. R. (2025). Solution-focused telemental health: a new approach for social work field education. Journal of Social Work Education, 61(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2024.2420093
Neipp, M.-C., & Beyebach, M. (2024). The global outcomes of solution-focused brief therapy: A revision. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 52(1), 110–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2022.2069175
Smith, S., & Macduff, C. (2017). A thematic analysis of the experience of UK mental health nurses who have trained in Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 24(2–3), 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12364
Sung, J., Mayo, N., & Witting, A. B. (2018). A theoretical investigation of postmodern approaches used in medical settings: Solution-focused brief therapy. The Family Journal, 26(2), 200–207. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480718778527
Suryani, S., Welch, A., & Cox, L. (2016). The application of Colaizzi's method in conducting research across two languages. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 25(1), 19–28. Retrieved from: https://journals.lww.com/mjp/fulltext/2016/25010/the_application_of_colaiizi_s_method_in_conducting.3.aspx. Accessed on 15th March, 2024.
Tasijawa, F. A. (2025). Physicians’ perceptions of the quality of palliative care and the importance of collaboration in interdisciplinary teams in Norwegian nursing homes [letter]. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 18(null), 1091–1092. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S523165
Tasijawa, F. A., Ratumanan, T. G., Nanuru, R. F., Tuhuteru, H., Makaruku, A. R., Nivaan, G. V., Tomasoa, V. Y., Leutualy, V., Madiuw, D., & Herwawan, J. H. (2023). Analisis Recovery Orang Dengan Gangguan Jiwa di Kepulauan Maluku. KAMBOTI: Jurnal Sosial Dan Humaniora, 4(1), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.51135/kambotivol4issue1page13-22
Tasijawa, F. A., Suryani, S., Sutini, T., & Maelissa, S. R. (2021). Recovery from ‘schizophrenia’: Perspectives of mental health nurses in the Eastern Island of Indonesia. Belitung Nursing Journal, 7(4), 336–345. Retrieved from: https://belitungraya.org/BRP/index.php/bnj/article/view/1621. Accessed on 25th February, 2024.
Wand, T., Acret, L., & D’Abrew, N. (2018). Introducing solution‐focussed brief therapy to mental health nurses across a local health district in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 27(2), 774–782. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12364
Wells, K., & McCaig, M. (2016). The magic wand question and recovery‐focused practice in child and adolescent mental health services. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 29(4), 164–170. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcap.12159
Żak, A. M. (2022). What is helpful: The client’s perception of the solution-focused brief therapy process by level of engagement. Journal of Solution Focused Practices, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.59874/001c.75017
Zhang, A., Franklin, C., Currin-McCulloch, J., Park, S., & Kim, J. (2018). The effectiveness of strength-based, solution-focused brief therapy in medical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 41, 139–151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-017-9888-1
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain the copyright of their articles published in this journal. All articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are properly cited.