title: Perceived training needs of nurses working with mentally ill patients.
abstract: Introductio n: In Malaysia, nurses form a significant part of the clinical mental health team, but the current level of training in mental health results in suboptimal nursing care delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this study 220 registered nurses and medical assistants working with the mentally ill completed a structured questionnaire. The purpose of this study was to explore perceived competence in mental healthcare and the training needs of nurses working with mentally ill patients in inpatient mental healthcare facilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The skills perceived as important for practicing in mental health varied among the nurse participants. Post basic training in mental health was significantly related to perceived competence in patient mental state assessment (p=0.036), risk assessment for suicide (p=0.024), violence (p=0.044) and self-harm (p=0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is little emphasis on psychosocial skills in current post basic mental health training in Malaysia.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences , University of Manitoba , R106-771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg , MB , Canada.
authors.forename: Nelson Ositadimma
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Oranye
authors.affiliation: b Counselling and Psychological Services , Taylors University , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Utharas
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Arumugam
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Health Studies , Brandon University , Brandon , Canada.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: d Lakeside Campus, Taylors University , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Marian E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Arumugam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: assessment skills; healthcare team; mental health nursing; perceived competence; training needs