Audit of a psychogeriatric ward learning environment.

Abstract

This study is a baseline audit of the clinical learning environment of a psychogeriatric ward at Mount Carmel Hospital in Malta. Literature indicates the paramount importance of providing quality nurse education in order to achieve quality nursing care. As an accountable profession, nursing is duty bound to improve standards of care through nurse education programmes which have the aim of improving the overall health of the nation. The audit process is thus considered the best means of introducing change in order to improve nursing care. The current Mental Health Reform aims to identify and meet the training and professional development needs of the hospital. However, Mount Carmel Hospital is facing a severe shortage of nurses and is thus making an effort to attract nurses to care for its mostly psychogeriatric inpatients. Moreover, recruitment of psychiatric student nurses by the Institute of Health Care has been poor. The chosen psychogeriatric ward has been recently refurbished and is considered the most modem in the hospital. Patients from other parts of the hospital are transferred here for general nursing care following their physical deterioration. Audit of this learning environment for both staff and students is considered of a particular value since it will provide the baseline data for future audits in order to provide evidence of future change. The data for this study was obtained by means of structured interviews with six ward nurses and four student nurses using an educational audit tool for clinical placements. The results show that although there are dedicated nurses, few learning opportunities are present and there is poor communication between the ward and the Institute of Health Care. The design of the chosen tool used is discussed, followed by the findings. Recommendations are then made concentrating on the formation of psychiatric nurse teachers for both qualified and student nurses.