Utilizing Peplau's Interpersonal Approach to Facilitate Medication Self-Management for Psychiatric Patients

“Suffering as a Lifelong Companion: A Phenomenological-Hermeneutic Study of Men Living With Severe Psychiatric Illness”Lidelse som livslang følgesvenn: En fenomenologisk-hermeneutisk studie av menn som lever med alvorlig psykiatrisk sykdom

Accumulation of suffering in later life due to severe psychiatric illness has received surprisingly little interest in nursing research. Suffering in daily living seems to be more demanding for men, a phenomenon still debated in the literature. This phenomenological-hermeneutic study aims at describing and interpreting the perspectives of adult men and their experiences of suffering in daily living with severe psychiatric illness, diagnosed as schizophrenia. Data were collected in dialogical conversations with four men aged between 20 and 40 years, living alone in northern Norway. The themes created from the structural understanding illuminate the participants’ suffering as simultaneously struggling against the grasp of the illness and for reshaping the future. The theoretical interpretation unfolds the multidimensionality of their suffering and the need for confirmation of the suffering and reconciliation with the losses from illness, thus making reorientation to the future possible.

Concept Analysis of Interpersonal Skills in Nursing

Objective: To determine a broad definition of the term interpersonal skills in nursing. Materials and methods: This theoretical study follows Walker and Avant’s method of concept analysis to examine the defining attributes of the concept. A literature search on interpersonal aspects of nursing was conducted in databases, e-books, and institutional repositories to recognize the uses, attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of the concept. Experts on professional and relationship skills were consulted between 2009 and 2019. Results: This information was analyzed, concluding that interpersonal skills in nursing are defined as the abilities of professional nurses to express their knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and values in relationships with colleages, patients, and their relatives and achieve a humane and person- centered practice. Conclusion: The concept of interpersonal skills in nursing is limited, given a lack of clarity in practice and research on the indistinct use of terms related to interpersonal skills and interpersonal knowledge. This analysis advances nursing theory towards practice and research.

Therapeutic alliance in mental health care: When language issues challenge provider-patient relationships

ABSTRACT

The field of psychiatric nursing provides unique opportunities for nurse-patient interactions. Nurses working in inpatient psychiatric settings face constant challenges that may hinder the development of meaningful nurse-patient interactions. Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations emphasized the importance of nurse-patient relationships in nursing care. Therapeutic alliance can help promote nurse-patient relationships and may help nurses and patients achieve their goals. This article presents several phases of a concept-building process that illustrates the importance of therapeutic alliance and its application in mental health care.

A qualitative study of service users' experiences of mental health nurses' knowledge and skills in relation to medication

INTRODUCTION

The role of the mental health nurse in relation to medications remains complex. Despite an increasing focus on pharmacology within pre-registration nurse education, there is limited research exploring how mental health service users experience mental health nurses' knowledge and skills in relation to medication.

AIM

To explore the experiences of service users working with mental health nurses, in relation to the nurses' knowledge and skills associated with medicines management.

METHOD

The research prioritized the principles of co-production and was undertaken collaboratively with a researcher with lived experience. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with individuals who have accessed UK mental health services. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes were generated from the data: inconsistencies in knowledge and practice, holistic therapeutic engagement and dialogical approach to medicines.

DISCUSSION

Service users may have a sense of uncertainty around the role of the nurse, potentially resulting in frustration and anxiety. However, mental health nurses also possess unique skills in relation to medicines management.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The findings emphasize that service users value not only pharmacological knowledge but also unique skills in facilitating dialogue, prioritising shared decision-making and practical support in medicines optimization.

Testing the validity and reliability of the Self-Administration of Medication (SAM) instrument in Chinese chronic disease patients: A cross-cultural adaptation

AIMS

To develop a culturally appropriate and functional standard Mandarin Chinese translation of the Self-Administration of Medication tool and to examine its validity and reliability.

METHODS

We used Brislin's guidelines for the translation and back-translation procedures. We recruited 130 patients from June 2015 to September 2016. Correlation analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, split-half reliability, item analysis and the content validity index, and exploratory factor analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Strong and moderate correlations were seen between the total Self-Administration of Medication score and nurses' and patients' perceptions. Item analysis indicated that the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.744 to 0.975. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.933 to 0.976. The split-half reliability ranged from 0.911 to 0.936 for the instrument's subscales, and 0.953 for the total scale. The content validity index value ranged from 0.823 to 0.972 for individual items and was 0.968 for the total scale. The factor loading matrix of the SAM ranged from 0.514 to 0.837. A moderate correlation existed between the scores of the Self-Administration of Medication tool and the Barthel Index.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of the Self-Administration of Medication tool is statistically acceptable and can be used in the evaluation of self-medication ability based on self-report and nurses' assessment.