The effect of a training course in aggression management on mental health nurses' perceptions of aggression: a cluster randomised controlled trial.
Nurses' attitudes towards patient aggression may influence their behaviour towards patients. Thus, their enhanced capacity to cope with aggressive patients may nurture more positive attitudes and alleviate adverse feelings emanating from patient aggression. This cluster randomised controlled trial conducted on six psychiatric wards tested the hypotheses that a 5 day training course in aggression management would positively influence the following outcome measures: Nurses' perception and tolerance towards patient aggression and resultant adverse feelings. A repeated measures design was employed to monitor change. No effect was found. The short time frame between the training course and the follow up measurement or non-responsiveness of the measurement instruments may explain this finding.
Head of Research Unit, University of Applied Science, Route des Cliniques 15, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland. needham@bluewin.ch
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I
Needham
C
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Abderhalden
R J G
RJ
Halfens
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Dassen
H J
HJ
Haug
J E
JE
Fischer
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland