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Thematic analysis of psychiatric patients' perceptions of nursing staff
Author(s) -
Stewart Duncan,
Burrow Heather,
Duckworth Alex,
Dhillon Jasbir,
Fife Sarah,
Kelly Siobhan,
MarshPicksley Sophie,
Massey Emma,
O'Sullivan John,
Qureshi Maria,
Wright Steve,
Bowers Len
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1111/inm.12107
Subject(s) - nursing , thematic analysis , medicine , feeling , anger , perception , psychiatric ward , perspective (graphical) , qualitative research , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , social science , neuroscience , sociology , artificial intelligence , computer science
Therapeutic and informal interactions with nurses are integral to the quality of care that psychiatric patients receive. How well these interactions are performed, and their impact on the experience and outcomes of inpatient care, have not been subject to systematic evaluation. The aim of the present study was to examine patients' perceptions of the personal and professional qualities of nursing staff and how these contribute to the ward environment. Patients ( n = 119) from 16 acute psychiatric wards were interviewed using a schedule developed by a service‐user researcher. Transcriptions of interviews were coded and organized into six themes: staff duties, staff disposition, control, communication and engagement, therapeutic ward environment, and consistency. Patients recognized that nurses have a difficult and stressful job, but frequently expressed feelings of anger, frustration, and hopelessness about their experience of the wards. Patients frequently felt that nursing staff did not understand issues from their perspective or attempt to empathize with them. The findings indicate poorly‐communicated and inconsistent care. Initiatives to improve patients' experiences of acute psychiatric wards are urgently needed.