The TEPIC Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Therapeutic Role of Mental Health Nurses in Psychiatric Intensive Care: a mixed-methods investigation in an inner-city mental health service
IRAS ID
191447
Contact name
Niall McCrae
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 10 days
Research summary
This mixed-methods study will use semi-structured interviews and minimal-participant observations to examine the therapeutic role of the nurse on psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) in the context of the current challenges that the nursing profession face. We plan to conduct semi-structured interviews with registered mental health nurses, medics, occupational therapists, care support workers and patients who are resident on the ward. The purpose of these interviews is to collect information on the current therapeutic role of the nurse, the components of therapeutic engagement and non-engagement, and any current or potential strategies that enhance therapeutic engagement on PICUs. The interviews will aim to capture contextual issues that may shape the actual and potential therapeutic role of the nurse.
Minimal-participant observations will be undertaken using three observational tools: CaSPAR (1), a Nurses’ Activity checklist and Patients’ Activity checklist produced by the researcher for use in this study. These tools will help the researcher to capture data on the amount of staff-patient contact at a service and the frequency and type of activity that nurses and patients are engaged in. The observations will supplement the interviews by enabling the researcher to examine the relationship between them and look for areas where they confirm or contradict each other i.e. do nurses and patients do what they say.
References:
1. Lloyd-Evans B., Slade M, Osborn DP, Skinner R & Johnson S. (2010) Developing and comparing methods for measuring the content of care in mental health services. Social Psychiatry Psychiatric Epidemiology advance online publication: doi 10.1007/s-00127-007-0216-x.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/2116
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion