Abstract: Caring for mental health service users is a public concern especially in situations where these types of patients have to be managed in a general ward. Government is committed to establish measures that would enhance the standard of caring for mental health service users in a general ward setting. This study intended to explore and describe the lived experiences of nurses who care for the mental health service users in public hospital in Libode in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa.
A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological research design to explore and describe the lived experiences of nurses who care for the mental health care users in general wards at a district hospital. Semi-structured individual interviews (n =6) were used to collect data from the se nurses. These interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim and Collaizzi’s process of qualitative data analysis was applied for data analysis.
This study reported both positive and negative experiences. Positive experiences included the rescue of mental health care users and cooperation among nurses. Negative experiences included the combination of chronic ill patients with known aggressive and unpredictable mental health care users; shortage of staff; unsecured fencing for mental health care users; lack of support from managers and feeling unappreciated were reported.
In conclusion, necessary prioritisation of all aspects of services in the management of mental health care users should be adhered to. Secondly, paying attention to all nurses’ needs regarding the circumstances they undergo when managing mental health service users should be adhered to.
Keywords: Caring, Mental Health Service User, Nurses.
Title: Caring for mental health service users on a general ward: a phenomenological approach
Author: Sithembele Magqadiyane
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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