Mental health nurses’ attitudes towards consumer involvement in nursing handover pre and post an educational implementation

Abstract

Involving mental health consumers in nursing handover is a recent introduction to practise in acute mental health units. However, implementation must recognize that mental health care is complex and the approach needs to include recovery‐focused philosophies of practice. Evidence shows that nurses and other health professionals consider poor handover practices may be the source of adverse events; however, the views of mental health nurses about involving consumers in nursing handover have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to identify nurses’ attitudes towards consumer involvement in handover and to measure the effect of a training programme upon these attitudes. A single‐group pre‐post‐test intervention study was undertaken. The study was conducted on the adult acute mental health inpatient unit of a major metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia, 2016–2017. Questionnaires were developed to capture the views of the nurses about proposed changes in the afternoon nursing handover process. A questionnaire was administered before and after the training intervention, an innovative, multi‐media education handover package. We found that training had a significant influence on mental health nurses’ attitudes towards involving consumers in the handover. Therapeutic engagement improved following training and miscommunication reduced when all players are informed and have the opportunity to engage with the information. This study has demonstrated that well‐planned education can influence nurses’ attitudes about involving consumers in the nursing handover processes.

Involving mental health consumers in nursing handover: A qualitative study of nursing views of the practice and its implementation

“…They also seemingly did not consider that having consumers present during handover may assist them to establish a therapeutic relationship (Olasoji et al . 2019; Olasoji et al . 2020; Olasoji & Reed 2016), allow them to maintain effective care, or provide opportunities for them to hear information that may benefit treatment.…”

“…2014; Olasoji et al . 2019; Olasoji & Reed 2016). A lack of staff engagement and inconsistency with the process can all conspire to undermine the success of any initiative (Dorvil 2018; Ford et al .…”

“…The work by Olasoji et al . (2019) and Olasoji and Reed (2016) demonstrated that associated training with a strong interpersonal basis can guide nursing staff through the process. This can also be done in such a way that any potential conflict, or privacy and confidentiality issues can be effectively managed while still ensuring that individual consumer choice is maintained (Olasoji et al .…”

“…This can also be done in such a way that any potential conflict, or privacy and confidentiality issues can be effectively managed while still ensuring that individual consumer choice is maintained (Olasoji et al . 2019; Olasoji & Reed 2016).…”

“…2018; Olasoji et al . 2018, 2019, 2020). The requirement to provide nursing handover that involves the consumer is indisputable.…”