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A qualitative analysis of the ‘management of schizophrenia’ within a medium‐secure service for men with learning disabilities
Author(s) -
ISHERWOOD T.,
BURNS M.,
RIGBY G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1365-2850
pISSN - 1351-0126
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2006.00926.x
Subject(s) - learning disability , checklist , context (archaeology) , psychological intervention , psychology , mental health , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , nursing , psychosis , grounded theory , qualitative research , unit (ring theory) , psychiatry , medicine , medical education , mathematics education , sociology , cognitive psychology , biology , paleontology , social science
Within secure psychiatric services, nurses trained to work with people with learning disabilities are often called upon to deal with those experiencing psychosis; a role that they are not routinely prepared for in generic learning disability nurse training. Psycho‐social interventions (PSI) are recommended as an adjunct to routine pharmacological treatment for people experiencing psychosis. There is a small literature that suggests that PSI has utility with people with learning disabilities. As part of a wider evaluation of the introduction of a PSI framework to a 10‐bedded medium‐secure unit for men with learning disabilities and mental health problems, 13 members of nursing staff completed the ‘Management of Schizophrenic Patients Checklist’. The responses were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Principle themes identified are described. The therapy vs. security quandary frequently reported in forensic psychiatry was evident in responses. The findings are guiding a programme of training and ongoing supervision within the service and are discussed in the context of wider therapeutic issues and institutional environment.