A systematic review and thematic synthesis of inpatient nursing staff experiences of working with high‐risk patient behaviours

Abstract

IntroductionNursing staff are frequently exposed to high‐risk patient behaviours within inpatient health services, yet staff commonly report a lack of training and support in managing these behaviours.AimThe aim of the study was to examine nursing staff experiences of high‐risk behaviours in inpatient mental health settings.MethodsFour electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE) were searched. The protocol for this review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (Ref: CRD42022334739). A meta‐synthesis of nursing staff's experiences of high‐risk behaviours in inpatient mental health settings was conducted.ResultsWe identified 30 eligible studies. Six themes were constructed from the meta‐synthesis: the social contract of care; the function of risk behaviours; the expectation of risk; risk as a relational concept; navigating contradictions in care; the aftermath.DiscussionNursing staff conceptualize risk as a meaningful behaviour shaped by patient, staff and environmental factors. Managing risk is an ethical dilemma for nursing staff and they require more training and support in ethical risk decision‐making.Implications for PracticeInpatient mental healthcare services should formulate and manage risk as a relational concept comprising staff, patient and environmental factors. Future research and clinical practice should place further consideration on the varied experiences of different types of risk behaviours.Relevance StatementNursing staff are frequently exposed to high‐risk patient behaviours within inpatient health services, yet staff commonly report a lack of training and support in managing these behaviours. This systematic review offers insights into how high‐risk behaviours are experienced by nursing staff and makes recommendations about how to improve the understanding and management of them. Inpatient mental healthcare services should formulate and manage risk as a relational concept comprising staff, patient and environmental factors. Future research and clinical practice should place further consideration on the varied experiences of different types of risk behaviours.