Attitudes of neuroscience nurses toward patients with conversion symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Patients with conversion symptoms on neurology wards often report negative interactions with nursing staff.


OBJECTIVE
The authors therefore systematically studied, by means of an anonymous questionnaire, the attitudes of neuroscience nurses (N=68) toward these patients.


RESULTS
Negative attitudes were common: 16% disagreed that conversion symptoms were "real;" 46% thought the patients were "manipulative;" and 34% disagreed that neurology was "an appropriate place" for these patients. Levels of self-perceived knowledge were low.


CONCLUSIONS
These negative attitudes toward patients are likely to impair effective management. Illness beliefs of patients with conversion symptoms need to be understood in the context of the beliefs of the health professionals looking after them.
Ahern
Lisa
L
Dept. of Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU UK.
Stone
Jon
J
Sharpe
Michael C
MC
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires