A Self-Destructive Care: Self-Reports of People Who Experienced Coercive Measures and their Suggestions for Alternatives

Abstract

Coercive measures are commonly used as a method of intervention, despite insufficient evidence for their effectiveness and benefits. The aim of this study was to describe how people who self-harm perceive alternatives to coercive measures in relation to actual experiences of psychiatric care. A total of 19 self-reports have been analysed with qualitative content analysis, resulting in three categories: a wish for understanding instead of neglect; a wish for mutual relation instead of distrust; a wish for professionalism instead of a counterproductive care. In conclusion, if the caregivers can understand and collaborate with the patient, there is seldom any need for coercive measures.

Taking personal responsibility: Nurses' and assistant nurses' experiences of good nursing practice in psychiatric inpatient care

“…Patients might feel that nurses spend minimal time with them and fail to understand issues from the patient's perspective (Lindgren et al ; Looi et al . ; Stewart et al . ).…”

“…; Looi et al . ; Stenhouse ) and emotional support (Stenhouse ). Patients might feel that nurses spend minimal time with them and fail to understand issues from the patient's perspective (Lindgren et al ; Looi et al .…”

“…Experiences of patients and nurses alike indicate a lack of supportive practice environments and good nursing practice in contemporary psychiatric inpatient care. Research has shown how nurses in psychiatric inpatient care often fail to meet patients' expectations, including the development of interpersonal relationships (Hopkins et al 2009;Looi et al 2015;Stenhouse 2011) and emotional support (Stenhouse 2013). Patients might feel that nurses spend minimal time with them and fail to understand issues from the patient's perspective (Lindgren et al 2015;Looi et al 2015;Stewart et al 2015).…”

“…Research has shown how nurses in psychiatric inpatient care often fail to meet patients' expectations, including the development of interpersonal relationships (Hopkins et al 2009;Looi et al 2015;Stenhouse 2011) and emotional support (Stenhouse 2013). Patients might feel that nurses spend minimal time with them and fail to understand issues from the patient's perspective (Lindgren et al 2015;Looi et al 2015;Stewart et al 2015). Delaney and Johnson (2014) reported that nurses perceive working in psychiatric inpatient care as being made more difficult by a strenuous reality and a need to manage dichotomies, such as engagement versus safety.…”

“Treat me with respect”. A systematic review and thematic analysis of psychiatric patients’ reported perceptions of the situations associated with the process of coercion

“…This had led to international calls to reduce the use of coercive measures in psychiatric/mental health settings and to improve clinical practice in this area (Bowers et al., ; Hui et al., ). To achieve this, it is important to gain knowledge from those who have been subjected to coercive measures (Wynn, ; Kontio et al., ; Lanthén, Rask, & Sunnqvist, ; Looi, Engström, & Sävenstedt, ).…”