Provision of care for older people with co-morbid mental illness in general hospitals: general nurses' perceptions of their training needs.
BACKGROUND
There are high levels of co-morbid mental illness amongst older people in general hospitals; this study explored the training needs of general nurses to care for this group.


METHODS
Focus groups with general nurses were analysed using framework analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses wanted training, but did not believe that training alone was sufficient to improve care, expressing that more integrated working between acute and mental health services was also needed. Liaison mental health services provide a way to deliver both training and a more integrated service.
Atkin
Kris
K
Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. k.atkin@leeds.ac.uk
Holmes
John
J
Martin
Carol
C
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards