Contact and communication with patients experiencing suicidal ideation: A qualitative study of nurses’ perspectives

Abstract

Aim To uncover and understand the core elements of how nurses in psychiatric hospitals make contact with patients experiencing suicidal ideation. Design A qualitative study based on the principles of grounded theory was performed. Methods Nineteen nurses on wards of four psychiatric hospitals were interviewed between May 2017 – February 2018. The Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven was used to facilitate the constant comparison of data. Findings Nurses make contact with patients experiencing suicidal ideation by “creating conditions for open and genuine communication” while maintaining a focus on “developing an accurate and meaningful picture of patients”. These interconnected core elements represent nurses’ attention to relational processes like building trust as well as their predominant focus on assessing suicide risk. Nurses put other emphases in their contacts with patients depending on whether their approach is guided more by checking and controlling suicide risk or by acknowledging and connecting (with) the person. Conclusion The study enhances the conceptual understanding of how nurses on psychiatric wards can involve in compassionate and considerate contact and communication with patients experiencing suicidal ideation. These findings can be used to underpin the nurses’ role in and contribution to suicide prevention. Impact The core elements “creating conditions for open and genuine communication” while maintaining a focus on “developing an accurate and meaningful picture of patients” can inform policies for nursing practice and education that aim to preserve and improve the capacity of nurses to involve in compassionate and considerate contact and communication with patients experiencing suicidal ideation.

Contact between patients with suicidal ideation and nurses in mental health wards: Development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire

“…2020), and nurses may listen and talk to patients as part of an instrumental approach rather than an interpersonal approach (Vandewalle et al . 2019). Considering this, the CoNuPaS can make the interpersonal and communicative skills and qualities that patients value in nurses more explicit and visible.…”

“…2017; Vandewalle et al . 2019). For research purposes, the instrument can encourage studies that identify multilevel factors – such as severity of suicidality and type of ward – which may influence patients’ perceptions of their contact with nurses.…”

“…2020) and qualitative study (Vandewalle et al . 2019). Draft items were generated based on both studies.…”

“…Additionally, a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach was conducted (Vandewalle et al . 2019). This study aimed to elucidate the core elements of how nurses in mental health wards make contact with patients experiencing suicidal ideation.…”

Estabelecimento da comunicação terapêutica entre enfermeiro e clientes frente á tentativas de autoextermínio: revisão integrativa da literatura

“…Pressupõem-se que, anualmente, 20 milhões de pessoas tentam suicídio e, dessas, 800.000 têm o ato consumado no mundo. Estima-se que uma tentativa de suicídio ocorra a cada 40 segundos, sendo que 65.000 são registrados na região das Américas segundo a Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde (OPAS/OMS) (1)(2) . Diante dos resultados epidemiológicos mundiais, nota-se que o suicídio é um agravante de grande impacto na saúde e no contexto social, uma vez que esta temática é muitas vezes incompreensível e estigmatizada, atingindo também os profissionais da saúde, comprometendo as estratégias de prevenção.…”