Escalation in Acute psychiatry: Immersive Observation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Escalation, untoward incidents, aggression and violence in the acute psychiatric setting: An immersive observational study
IRAS ID
210955
Contact name
Gary Winship
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
We know from previous research that good communication between patients and staff on psychiatric in-patient wards is vital for the smooth running of the ward and for the well-being of patients. We are trying to find out how this communication may be affected by an untoward incident, or an episode of aggressive and disturbed behaviour on the ward. We also want to see if we can find out what may be occurring beforehand to make an untoward incident or aggressive episode more likely, whether what occurs beforehand is between staff and patients, patients and patients, or staff and staff; and whether this is immediately beforehand or perhaps in the days beforehand. To do this we will look at (observe) what is taking place between patients and staff on four wards of the Maudsley Hospital, and may undertake some interviews. All staff and patients on the four wards will be eligible to participate. Each ward will be observed over a two-week period, and the study will last for 18 months. The aim is to see if we can understand any difficulties in communication around these times of disturbance, and to make recommendations that might lead to improvements in the care of patients and in morale on the ward. The intention is to contribute to the scholarly debate on the precipitants and reduction of untoward incidents and violence, by achieving a deeper understanding of these precipitants; and to have practice relevance by contributing to the management of aggression and violence in the setting. Based on the findings, implications for practice will be identified, including recommendations for education and development of training programmes. In the first instance beneficiaries will be professionals, but it is anticipated that service-users will ultimately benefit from changes in professional practice that flow from the research.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0464
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion