Factors influencing nurse–patient interaction in the acute psychiatric setting: An exploratory investigation

Abstract

Nurse-patient interaction in acute psychiatric in-patient facilities has been the subject of much discussion in the literature and remains a contentious issue. How and why nurses interact with patients in the acute care setting requires definition within the current dynamic environment of mental health service provision. Factors which impact on the manner in which nurses care for patients also require investigation. This article presents the findings of a collaborative research study that investigates factors that influence nurse-patient interaction in the acute psychiatric setting. Ten nurses on the study ward were given opportunity, through semi-structured interviews, to outline and describe the factors perceived to influence nurse-patient interaction. Factors identified as influencing interaction included the ward environment, something always comes up, nurses' attributes, patient factors, instrumental support and focus of nursing. Issues which emerged from the study provide managers and clinical nurses with an opportunity for generating new possibilities for nurse-patient interaction. However, these issues must be addressed in a sensitive way that takes into account the complex and dynamic nature of acute care settings.

Nurse–patient communication barriers in Iranian nursing

“…The hard tasks of nursing (routine tasks, long shift hours, successively working shifts and excessive paperwork), lack of welfare facilities (sleeping quarters and private rooms in wards) for nurses and burn out are other barriers emphasized by nurses. Cleary et al. (1999) found the same barriers as in the present study, in which nurses considered lack of time, fatigue and heavy workload as factors blocking communication between nurses and clients.…”

Factors Influencing communication between the patients with cancer and their nurses in oncology wards

“…[41] This finding is consistent with other studies that showed lack of time, heavy workload, work in extra shifts, and fatigue in nurses hindered nurse–patient communication. [442] In contrast, the study of Chan et al . showed that nurses with integrating communication within the routines that they tend to do, in practice prove that not only extra time is not needed to communicate with the patients but also good communication is possible without wasting their time.…”

Exploration of therapeutic interventions that accompany the administration of p.r.n. (‘as required’) psychotropic medication within acute mental health settings: A retrospective study

“…(2005) found that although nurses did perceive the therapeutic role to be their most important role, it was a role they were often prevented from performing. As Cleary et al . (1999) states, the nursing ward is structured so that ‘something always comes up’ to replace nurse–patient interaction.…”