title: Coercion in nursing homes: Perspectives of patients and relatives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have demonstrated the extensive use of coercion in Norwegian nursing homes, which represents ethical, professional as well as legal challenges to the staff. We have, however, limited knowledge of the experiences and views of nursing home patients and their relatives.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of nursing home patients and next of kin on the use of coercion; are there situations where the use of coercion can be defended, and if so, under which circumstances?
  
  
  METHODS
  The data are based on individual interviews with 35 patients living in six nursing homes and seven focus group interviews with 60 relatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participation was based on written informed consent, and the study was approved by the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half of the patients and the majority of the relatives accepted the use of coercion, trusting the staff to act in the patient's best interest. However, the acceptance of coercion is strongly related to the patients' lack of understanding, to prevent health risks and to preserve the patient's dignity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of nursing home patients and relatives accepted the use of coercion in specific situations, while at the same time they emphasised the need to try alternative strategies first. There is still a need for good qualitative research on the use of coercion in nursing homes, especially with a closer focus on the perspectives and experiences of nursing home patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, Norway elisabeth.gjerberg@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gjerberg
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lillemoen
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Reidar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Reidun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Førde
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003068:Coercion; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000941:ethics*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: Nursing homes; coercion; patients; qualitative study; relatives