A qualitative analysis of the 'management of schizophrenia' within a medium-secure service for men with learning disabilities.
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.
Isherwood
T
T
Yorkshire Centre for Forensic Psychiatry, South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK. T.M.Isherwood@leeds.ac.uk
Burns
M
M
Rigby
G
G
D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D012637:Security Measures; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom