title: Nurses' perceptions of mental health assessment in an acute inpatient setting in New Zealand: a qualitative study.
abstract: This qualitative study explores the perceptions of mental health nurses regarding assessment in an acute adult inpatient setting in Central Auckland. Fourteen mental health nurses took part in semistructured interviews answering five open-ended questions. The analysis of data involved a general inductive approach, with key themes drawn out and grouped into four categories (roles, attitudes, skills and knowledge) in order to explore the meaning of information gathered. The outcome of the study acknowledged the importance of contextual factors such as the physical environment and bureaucratic systems, as well as values and beliefs present within the unit. The participants expressed concern that their input to assessment processes was limited, despite belief that 24-hour care and the nature of mental health nursing generally suggested that a crucial role should exist for nurses. In order for nurses to be established as central in the assessment process on the unit the study concludes that a nursing theoretical framework appropriate for this acute inpatient setting needs to be developed.
authors: Kari Centre, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand. darrylb@adhb.govt.nz
authors: Darryl
authors: D
authors: Bishop
authors: Ines
authors: I
authors: Ford-Bruins
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007318:Inservice Training; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009520:New Zealand; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009736:Nursing Process; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013597:Systems Analysis