The nurses' perceptions regarding the causes of the revolving door syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this research study was to identify what nurses working in acute admission wards of a mental health hospital in Malta perceived the causes of the 'Revolving Door Syndrome' to be. A convenience sample of eight nurses, working in acute admission wards where these revolving door patients are most likely to be encountered, participated in this study. The objectives of this study were to identify the causes of the revolving door syndrome, any implications on the mental health care delivered whilst exploring the feelings and emotions triggered off by this phenomenon and identifying what in the nurses' opinion could be done to ameliorate the revolving door syndrome. Overall the findings in this study generally agreed with other studies carried out abroad. Common reasons identified were non-compliance to treatment when a patient stops taking the treatment prescribed and therefore suffers a relapse. Social problems such as homelessness, addictions and lack of support in the community is another reason. Another contributing factor discussed was the attraction that seems to lure certain patients to return. A number of possible alternatives were suggested. This means that to improve the current situation and keep the patients in the community there has to be an improvement in community care, further research and nurses' training and education.