Implementation of Body Worn Camera: Practical and Ethical Considerations

Abstract

Body-worn cameras are increasingly being used as a violence prevention tool in inpatient mental health wards. However, there remains a limited understanding of this technology from an implementation perspective, such as protocols and best practice guidance if cameras are to be used in these settings. This study explores the perspectives of patients, mental health staff, and senior management to understand the practical and ethical issues related to the implementation of body-worn cameras. Semi-structured interviews (n = 64) with 24 patients, 25 staff from acute wards, six Mental Health Nursing Directors, and 9 community-based patients were conducted. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Ethical approval was granted by the Health Research Authority. Findings from this study show that the implementation of BWC in healthcare settings requires careful consideration. The perspectives of patients and staff demonstrate the complex reality of implementation alongside the consideration of practical and ethical issues around implementation that are essential to ensures that wards recognise the need to assess their capacity to use the cameras in a way that is fair and consistent for all involved. The findings further highlight wider questions around power and autonomy in mental health care.

Authors contributions

Una Foye: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing (original draft; review & editing), Visualisation, Project admin, Funding acquisition

Ciara Regan: Formal analysis, Writing (original draft; review & editing), Visualisation, Project admin.

Keiran Wilson: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing (original draft; review & editing), Visualisation

Rubbia Ali: Formal analysis, Writing (original draft; review & editing), Visualisation, Project admin.

Madeleine Chadwick: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Investigation,

Ellen Thomas: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing (review & editing), Funding acquisition

Sahil Dodhia: Formal analysis, Writing (review & editing),

Jenny Allen-Lynn: Formal analysis, Writing (review & editing),

Jude Allen-Lynn: Formal analysis, Writing (review & editing),

Geoff Brennan: Conceptualisation, Writing (Review & editing), Funding acquisition

Professor Alan Simpson: Conceptualisation, Methodology, Writing (Review & editing), Project admin, Funding acquisition, Supervision

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Due to the sensitive nature of this study, participants were assured the interviews would remain confidential and would not be shared.

Data not available/the data that has been used is confidential.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by both The Maudsley Charity and the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care Research Challenge Fund 2019. Funders were independent of the research and did not impact findings.