Mental health practitioner's attitude towards maintenance neuroleptic treatment for people with schizophrenia

Mental health nurses' measured attitudes to people and practice: Systematic review of UK empirical research 2000-2019

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Many studies have investigated the attitudes of mental health nurses towards a range of targets. These targets are person-oriented (for example groups of people with a similar mental health diagnosis) or practice-oriented (for example practices such as seclusion or restraint). It is thought that attitudes contribute to the practice of mental health nurses because research suggests attitudes have a role in shaping behaviour. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: To date, research about mental health nurses' attitudes has examined different attitudes in isolation from one another. By demonstrating a lack of connectedness across studies this paper highlights the need for new theory-informed approaches to attitudinal research. By standardizing measurements across different studies this review demonstrates that the most negatively appraised attitudinal targets-indicated by large proportions of respondents who appraise negatively-concern people with diagnoses of borderline personality disorder, substance misuse, and acute mental health presentations. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Significant numbers of mental health nurses may have attitudes, especially towards people with borderline personality diagnoses and those who misuse substances, that may not be concordant with good practice. There is insufficient evidence about what the actual implications this has for practice because the body of relevant research lacks coherence, interconnectedness and a grounding in contemporary theoretical developments. Training programmes that focus on attitudinal change need to be more rigorously evaluated. ABSTRACT: Introduction Attitudes are considered integral to mental health nursing practice. Aims To comprehensively describe the (i) measured attitudes of UK mental health nurses towards people and practice; (ii) effectiveness of interventions to change attitudes; and (iii) relationships between their attitudes, other variables/constructs and practice. Methods Using systematic review methodology, multiple databases (CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar) were searched. Eligible studies involved measurement of UK-based mental health nurses' attitudes with multi-item scales. Studies were quality appraised, mean (SD) attitudinal data were standardized, and other results converted to standardized effect sizes. Results N = 42 studies were included. Negatively appraised attitudinal targets were people with a borderline personality disorder diagnosis, substance misuse, and acute mental health presentations. Educational interventions were associated with immediate increases in positive appraisals but sustainability was poorly evidenced. There was very limited study of attitude-practice links. Discussion This review identifies priority attitudinal targets for action but also demonstrates that future work must consider the interconnectedness of attitudes and their relationship with practice. Implications for Practice Priority areas for consideration are attitudes to borderline personality disorder, substance misuse and mental health co-morbidity. Addressing disparities between nurses' attitudes and those of service users is important. More robust research is required into the effectiveness of interventions to change attitudes and into attitude-practice links.

The knowledge and attitudes of psychiatrists towards antipsychotic long-acting injections in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Antipsychotic long-acting injections (LAIs) reduce covert nonadherence with medication in the clinical management of psychotic disorders. However, they are variably utilised by clinicians, especially in the long term. Factors including poor knowledge, stigma and perceived coercion can all adversely influence LAI utilisation. Previous research has emanated almost exclusively from developed countries. This study explores the knowledge and attitudes of psychiatrists and trainees in Nigeria towards LAIs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was undertaken among mental health professionals in Nigeria using a pre-existing questionnaire.

RESULTS

Participant psychiatrists (n = 128) expressed positive attitudes towards LAIs. Their knowledge concerning LAIs and its side effects was fair. The participants reported that nearly half (41.7%) of their patients with a psychotic illness were on LAIs. Those who reported a high prescribing rate for LAIs (>40%) were more likely to endorse more positive 'patient-centred attitudes' (p < 0.04). In contrast to previous reports, psychiatrists reported that patients were less likely to feel ashamed when on LAIs, though most endorsed the statement that force was required during LAI administration.

CONCLUSION

The desirability of treatment by injections differs in Africa in comparison to Western cultures, possibly due to the increased potency that injections are perceived to have. This is perhaps evidenced by high rates reported for use of LAIs. Nigerian psychiatrists had positive attitudes to LAIs but their knowledge, particularly regarding side effects, was fair and needs to be improved. Providing information to patients prior to antipsychotic treatment may enhance informed consent in a country where medical paternalism is still relatively strong.

Attitudes of patients and mental health staff to antipsychotic long-acting injections: systematic review

BACKGROUND

The attitudes of staff and patients have been demonstrated to influence the acceptance of long-acting injections (LAIs) or depot antipsychotics.

AIMS

To examine the attitudes of patients and staff to LAIs.

METHOD

A systematic review was carried out. Studies included contained quantitative data for attitudes of patients or staff to LAIs.

RESULTS

Twelve studies published subsequent to the systematic review reported in 2001 were identified. Five studies conveyed an overall positive attitude. The most positive attitudes among patients were seen in those already prescribed an LAI. Positive attitudes of staff correlated closely with the extent of their knowledge of LAIs.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-acting injections continue to have an image problem, arguably perpetuated by manufacturers of oral second-generation antipsychotic drugs, and exacerbated by the predominant use of these medications as a ;last resort' often for the most stigmatized individuals. The introduction of better-tolerated LAIs and better education of both staff and patients may encourage individuals to re-examine their attitudes.

Health professionals' attitudes to depot injection antipsychotic medication: a systematic review

Healthcare professionals are key providers of information about antipsychotic medication and may have a significant influence on the decisions that service users make about how their medication is delivered. This systematic review aimed to explore health professionals' attitudes and beliefs towards antipsychotic depot medication. A systematic search of AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, HEALTH BUSINESS ELITE, HMIC, MEDLINE and PsycINFO was carried out, as well as hand searches of journals and citation searches. Studies were selected if the terms 'attitudes/beliefs' and 'depot/injection' were included in the title or abstract, if health professionals were participants in the study and if original data were included. The search strategy produced 131 papers. Eight relevant studies were then selected for the review. They included six cross-sectional surveys and two qualitative studies. It was shown that the research carried out is still very sparse. Depots are seen as old fashioned, stigmatizing, causingside effects and being costly, and they are often not prescribed because of a presumed adherence to oral medication. More research needs to be carried out to further explore these issues, to look at the role of non-medical prescribers and explore the relationship between health professionals' attitudes and those of service users.

Relapse prevention in serious and enduring mental illness: a pilot study

The purpose of the research was to ascertain whether coping knowledge and relapse outcomes are enhanced after 12 months following a programme of community-based relapse prevention (RP). Relapse to mental illness has high societal costs and this programme aims to lessen the likelihood of relapse by equipping service users with greater coping mechanisms by employing a quasi-experimental design with some controls. Participants are recruited from a day hospital in London. There are two groups: (1) experimental group (n = 10) and (2) control group (n = 10). The experimental group is given an 8-week RP programme, and the control group receives routine care. Both groups are then followed up at 1, 2 and 12 months. The research hypothesis was participants undergoing a programme of RP will have greater 12-month knowledge and superior relapse outcomes. The 52-week follow-up rates are 80% for experimental group and 70% for control group. There are no differences in the two groups in terms of relapse outcomes. Knowledge between baseline and 52 weeks is improved in the experimental group though most of the changes are observed during the first 12 weeks. We conclude that an 8-week RP programme resulted in improved knowledge but not relapse outcomes at 52 weeks. A randomized controlled trial should now be conducted to assess whether these results are replicated.