The attitudes of general nurses towards mentally ill patients admitted to a medical surgical unit in a general unit in a general hospital in Malta

Abstract

Aim & Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the nurses' perceived degree of knowledge on mental illnesses and how this affects the care being delivered to these patients when cared for in a general hospital setting. Another objective explored in this study was aimed at identifying whether education and which types of training courses can be utilised to enhance nurses' competencies. The role of the Psychiatric Consultation Liaison Nurse (PCLN) was also investigated in order to establish if this could be of benefit in optimising the quality of care being currently delivered and in supporting general nurses during their care towards mentally ill patients. Design: Sixty general nurses working in six randomly chosen medical/surgical units of a state owned general hospital were invited to participate in this study by completing a self administered 35-item questionnaire, which the author himself constructed for the same purpose of the study. This quantitative, non-experimental small scale survey had a response rate of fifty three participants (85%). Data gathered was analysed by the same author using quantitative descriptive analysis. Results were described and presented as found. Results: Results from this study show that the participants consider nursing the mentally ill in a general hospital setting as a difficult task which requires special skills, extra time and staff, more knowledge and support. It was identified that training and education combined with clinical exposure to the mentally ill is the best way in helping general nurses feel more competent and confident. Another important result which emerged from this study was that even though the role of the PCLN is still not recognised in this island, the majority of the participants believe that this can offer them and the patients the support and link that is needed to improve the quality of care being currently delivered to this population of clients. Recommendations: The author suggests that for further investigations a longitudinal study involving a larger population of general nurses is recommended if the results are to be generalised. It is also being recommended that post graduate education and clinical exposure are offered to general nurses so as to enhance skills and competence. It was also suggested that the current mental health module being offered in the general nursing course is further developed to provide all student nurses with more knowledge and exposure to mental health. The introduction of the role of the PCLN within the general hospital is to be taken into consideration if the quality of care towards the mentally ill is to be ameliorated.