Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG108/3

Question

Advocacy and support for decision-making:- What is the effectiveness, cost effectiveness and acceptability of advocacy as a means of supporting people to make decisions?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- The evidence reviewed did not include any studies that evaluated the effectiveness or acceptability of advocacy as a means of supporting people to make decisions. However, the guideline committee thought that this was an area in which emerging practice shows promise. Expert witness testimony highlighting the Swedish 'Personal Ombudsman' peer support scheme also suggested that further research into the use of advocacy as a means of supporting decision-making might be useful. Although provision for advocacy already exists for people assessed as lacking capacity to make a decision (through an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate), this type of support could also benefit people who, although retaining capacity, may need support to make a decision.
High-quality mixed methods studies with a controlled effectiveness component (preferably randomised) are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of advocacy as a tool to support the decision-making of people who may need support to make a decision. The effectiveness component will ideally include 3 arms: usual care, usual care plus advocacy, and usual care plus support with enhanced advocacy. Studies should also include a qualitative component that explores whether advocacy as a means of support to make decisions is acceptable to people using services and valued by practitioners.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Decision-making and mental capacity

Number

NG108

Date issued

October 2018

Other details