Aims: Young nursing students who are engaged in psychiatric nursing practice for the first time have many difficulties. In order to help students learn how to care for elderly patients with mental illness, this study explored student perceptions, evaluated clinical learning experiences using qualitative research methods, and assessed the experiences of student nurses in caring for elderly patients with schizophrenia in Taiwan.Methods: The data presented in this study were derived from an qualitative study based on a phenomenological approach. The 20 participants were selected from the students of a nursing college in Taiwan. Individual in-depth interviews were held with nursing students, these students were selected from the fourth-years of nursing college of associate degree. The mean age of all of the participants were 18.7(±0.46).Results: Colaizzi's analysis method was used to analyze the data. Six main themes were obtained: (1) Assessing clinical problems associated with psychiatric disorders and geriatric diseases; (2) Preparing for and engaging with the clinical internship environment; (3) Establishing relationships with elderly patients; (4) Participating in clinical learning and applying nursing knowledge and skills; (5) Shaping a good attitude towards elderly schizophrenia patients; (6) Gaining confidence in the internship process.Conclusions: Although nursing students lack clinical knowledge and situational experience in geriatric psychiatric nursing, nursing teachers need to help students be more perceptive and evaluate their clinical learning experiences, and to express themselves and reflect on the process of care delivery to hospitalized elderly patients with schizophrenia.
Aims: The number of elderly patients with schizophrenia in Taiwan has increased significantly. Most Taiwanese patients with schizophrenia are community-dwelling and, if elderly, are at increased risk of mental illness and mental health problems. The life experiences of community-dwelling elderly patients dealing with schizophrenia in Taiwan have not been well studied. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of such patients through in-depth interviews.Methods: This qualitative study was carried out in psychiatric hospital day-care centers in Taiwan. We interviewed 16 patients (9 men and 7 women, mean age=60.43 years, SD=5.53 years). Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method of analysis.Results: The five major themes pertaining to the life experiences of community-dwelling elderly schizophrenia patients were identified as: 1) living alone, feeling lonely, and caring for myself; 2) anxiety and pessimism about the future; 3) internal conflict and aging; 4) seeking help; 5) delaying needs and engaging in healthy activities.Conclusions: The community-dwelling elderly schizophrenia patients were worried about the deterioration of their health, loss of self-care ability with aging, and decreasing access to community support and resources while striving to maintain their lives in the community. Mental health care professionals should understand the needs and abilities of patients, and help them to continue to live in the community. In addition to accepting continuous treatment, the patients should be encouraged to maintain healthy behaviors as well as enhance functioning and quality of life.
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