Forensic mental health nursing and evidence-based practice: a quantitative study (original) (raw)
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Barriers to research utilisation among forensic mental health nurses
International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2004
This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive design to identify barriers to research utilisation among forensic mental health nurses. A postal questionnaire was sent to the total population of 88 registered nurses working in a forensic mental health hospital in the UK. Forty-seven responded representing a response rate of 53%. Results showed that the greatest barriers to research utilisation were those related to the characteristics of the setting in which nurses work or the personal characteristics of nurses themselves, which seems to be consistent with previous studies undertaken in the area. However, the nurses reported it especially difficult to trust what research shows because they feel that it is not always possible to apply those findings to their particular work environment. The main implications for policy are a need for an increase in support from management, programmes of advanced education to provide nurses with research skills, an improvement in accessibility and availability of research reports and an increase in time available to read and implement research. The main suggestions for future research are that qualitative studies should be carried out to attain a better understanding of mental health nurses' attitudes towards research utilisation. r
New Zealand emergency nurses knowledge about forensic science and its application to practice
International Emergency Nursing, 2020
Introduction-Violence is a major public health problem worldwide. Emergency nurses are often in a unique position to identify, assess, evaluate, and treat these patients, but there is limited forensic knowledge and skills to enable emergency nurses to feel confident to guide their practice in New Zealand. The purpose of this study was to establish the level of forensic knowledge and skills currently known and used by nurses in clinical practice working in New Zealand District Health Boards (DHB)'s emergency departments. The study aimed to develop a tertiary education course based on the needs and the knowledge required, to enable nurses to practice confidently and safely with Forensic patients in the emergency department setting. Methods-A descriptive approach using online questionnaires including both quantitative and qualitative components was sent to all emergency departments in New Zealand DHB's as well as the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) emergency nurses' section. Open-ended questions were analysed by thematic analysis. Closed questions were analysed by SPSS version 15 data analysis software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Themes identified focused on the knowledge and skills emergency nurses currently possess and the level of specialist education required to ensure patients receive the best medicolegal care. Results-Results of the questionnaire revealed limited knowledge in being able to correctly identify all forensic patients, insufficient knowledge around evidence preservation and collection and limited knowledge around legislation or legal processes governing clinical care were discovered. However, 84% of all participants felt that having forensic knowledge was important for their practice, indicating a need for 2 increased forensic education. Practice implications indicate that forensic education is warranted, needed and desired among ED nurses within the clinical setting. Discussion-As forensic patients generally require emergency medical attention, it is important that nurses as part of the front-line first responders have forensic knowledge around preservation and collection of evidence during the provision of medical care. It was found that, emergency nurses do not have enough knowledge around forensic issues indicating that forensic education is warranted, needed and desired among ED nurses within the clinical setting. The study also provides support for the implementation of tertiary forensic science nursing postgraduate study in New Zealand.
Forensic psychiatric nursing: skills and competencies: I
This paper reports on an investigation into the skills and competencies of forensic psychiatric nurses from the perspective of three groups: (A) forensic psychiatric nurses; (B) non-forensic psychiatric nurses; and (C) other disciplines. A national survey of forensic psychiatric services in the UK was conducted, and information gathered on the perceived skills and competencies in this growing field of psychiatric practice. From 3360 questionnaires, 1172 were returned, making a response rate of 35%. The results indicate a small discrepancy between forensic nurses' and non-forensic nurses' perceptions of the role constructs of forensic practice. However, a larger difference was noted between nurses' perceptions and other disciplines' perceptions of the constituent parts to forensic psychiatric nursing. Nurses tended to focus on personal qualities both in relation to themselves and the patients, while the other disciplines focused on organizational structures both in defining the role and in the resolution of perceived deficits. The findings have implications for multidisciplinary working, as well as policy formulation and curriculum development in terms of the skills and competencies of forensic nurse training.
Evidence-Based Practices Applied to Forensic Psychiatry: Introduction to Special Issue
Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 2008
Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become widely established in many branches of medicine, including psychiatry. In this article, I argue that it is incumbent upon a forensic psychiatrist to examine this concept following a trend in legal decisions that increasingly demand that we based our opinion on a scientific foundation. I will briefly discuss the shortcomings of EBP and how they have been addressed in more recent commentary. I will introduce a number of articles that suggest that we are at a stage where the principles of EBP can be applied to many aspects of forensic psychiatry. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 8:1-4 (2008)]
2019
Reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practices, such as seclusion and restraint, is a national priority for Australia’s mental health services. Whilst legislation, organization and practice changes have all contributed to a reduction in these practices, forensic mental health services continue to report high rates. This paper details the findings of research that examined the experiences of nurses working in the inpatient forensic mental health setting. The research aimed to (i) document the experiences of nurses working in the forensic mental health setting, (ii) articulate their perceived unique skill set to manage challenging patient behaviours, and (iii) determine how their experiences and skill set can inform practice changes to reduce the use of restrictive practices. Thirty-two nurses were recruited from one Australian forensic mental health service. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using inductive content analysis. Four categories were identified that influenced practice experiences: (i) working in a challenging but interesting environment, (ii) specialty expertize, (iii) exposure to aggression and resilience as a protective factor, and (iv) the importance of effective teamwork and leadership. Forensic mental health care is complex, highly specialized, and often delivered in an unpredictable environment. Whilst high rates of restrictive practices may be linked to the unique characteristics of forensic patients, training, teamwork, and leadership are critical factors influencing their use in this setting. Nurses working in this area need to be educated and supported to work confidently and safely with this high-risk patient cohort.
Knowledge Questionnaire over Forensics Nursing Practices
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2016
Problem Statement: The forensics nursing science combines the clinical approach to the person who is a victim of violence with the investigation related to the search of traces of that situation. Research Questions: What is the level of knowledge over forensics practices in nursing students? Purpose of the Study: Evaluate the level of knowledge over forensics practices of the nursing students; describe the relation of the social demographic, academical and training variables in forensics nursing with the level of knowledge. Research Methods: A descriptive study conducted with a convenience sample of 190 nursing students. 78.9% female, 49.5% with mean ages of 22.44. The content of the Knowledge Questionnaire over Forensics Nursing Practices-KQFNP Cunha & Libório was built based on the literature revision and submitted to the appreciation of an external judge, expert in the area. Findings: The majority of the students scored with good level of knowledge (40%). The knowledge of insufficient level occurred in 36.3% and the sufficient in 23.7%. There was a deficit of knowledge over: practical aspects of the traces preservation: use of paper bags; care of the aggressors; the possibility of glass and ink constitute forensics traces. Conclusions: The evidences found enhance the need of investment in the training of the students over the forensic nursing practices, particularly concerning the aspects in which reveal a knowledge deficit, enabling them to adopt good practices. This research began the psychometric study of the KQFNP, however, it is recommended the performance of other investigations in order to proceed the validation.
Analysis of Awareness for Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Nursing
2017
The possibility of facing forensic cases among healthcare professionals is quite high. However, most of the time these forensic cases may be skipped due to lack of knowledge of healthcare professionals on these issues. This study is aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge of healthcare professionals in forensic nursing. Between February 2015-June 2015, in a public hospital in Istanbul, 56 healthcare professionals were asked to fill out open-ended questions to determine to what extent they pay attention to the processes and regulations in forensic nursing practices. The results, which were obtained in the light of the collected data, have been analysed. The level of knowledge of the healthcare professionals on the forensic nursing and its own process is insufficient. Knowledge of the healthcare professionals facing hospital forensic cases should be updated through in-service training programs. The results emphasized the need for continuing training in this area.
definition of paradigm reveals how research could be affected and guided by a certain paradigm by stating, "paradigms are patterns of beliefs and practices that regulate inquiry within a discipline by providing lenses, frames and processes through which investigation is accomplished". Therefore, to clarify the researcher's structure of inquiry and methodological choices, an exploration of the paradigm adopted for this study will be discussed prior to any discussion about the specific methodologies utilized in this study.
Forensic psychiatric nursing: a literature review and thematic analysis of staff-patient interaction
Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 2010
• Today, forensic mental health nursing is part of the current psychiatric treatment offered to inpatients in Denmark. However, only sparse research exists in this area. • This paper examines what characterizes the interaction between mental health staff and inpatients in a forensic setting and what significance this interaction holds for the forensic inpatient. • The literature review spans the period September 1997 to January 2009 in the following databases: CINAHL, CSB, PsycINFO, Scopus, Pubmed, MEDLINE and Sociological Abstracts. The articles were categorized using a literature matrix and analysed using content analysis. • Two overriding themes are identified: parentalistic & behaviour-changing care and relational & personal quality-dependent care. The themes show how nursing care is reported from a relational perspective and from a custodial perspective. It demonstrates that it is not only custodial care that takes place but also care expressed as personal qualities in a relational aspect. However, only a few of the findings represent a clear account of how the interactional characteristics impact on the forensic inpatient. This is significant because it documents that no clear conclusion on the patient impact issue could be reached at this point and that further investigation needs to take place.