title: Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care.
abstract: Being healthcare professionals in the complex field of forensic psychiatry care (FPC) seems particularly challenging. Historically, families have almost been invisible in FPC. The aim of this study was to uncover beliefs among healthcare professionals concerning families of patients admitted for FPC. Using a hermeneutical approach inspired by Gadamer's philosophy, group interviews with healthcare professionals in four Swedish forensic psychiatric clinics were analyzed. Analysis resulted in seven key beliefs. There were three beliefs about families: family belongingness is a resource for the patient; most families are broken and not possible to trust; and most families get in the way of the patient's care. Four beliefs concerned encounters with families: it is important to achieve a balance and control over the family; it is essential to set aside one's own values and morals; family-oriented work is an impossible mission; and family oriented work requires welcoming the families. Despite ethical dilemmas of working with families in FPC, healthcare professionals showed a willingness and desire to work in a more family-oriented manner. More knowledge, understanding, and caring tools are needed in order to meet the needs of the family as well as support the family's resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulrica
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hörberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Centre for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Benzein
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erlingsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Syrén