title: Aptitude-based assignment of nurses to depressed patients.
abstract: In psychiatric units, head nurses face the daily challenge of assigning nurses to patients. The 'match' between a patient and a nurse is not always optimal. This can hinder the therapeutic relationship. Aptitude is an important component of competence, especially for psychiatric nurses involved in therapeutic relationships. In this study, we undertook explorative research to investigate possible relationships between nurse aptitudes and outcomes in depressed patients. We found statistically significant relationships between specific nurse aptitudes, along professional rank, and particular patient outcomes. During the hospital stay, patients' depressive feelings change as they recover. Our results indicate that, as a patient's depressive feelings change, another type of nurse, one with an aptitude that supports the patient's current needs, should be assigned to care for that patient. This suggestion is at odds with current practises of assigning a patient to one nurse for the entire hospital stay.
authors: General Hospital Sint-Jan Brugge, Brugge, Belgium. marc@haspeslagh.net
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Haspeslagh
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Eeckloo
authors: L B
authors: LB
authors: Delesie
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001076:Aptitude; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors