Nurses’ experiences on treating pediatric mental health patient: A literature review
Rinnekangas, Jenna (2020)
2020
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060817591
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060817591
Tiivistelmä
20% of children and young people suffer from mental health problems, such as depression, self-harm and suicidal behavior, behavioral problems, anxiety and eating disorders. Disorders in adulthood have usually had symptoms in childhood, and half of the problems start before the age 14. Treatment is determined by the disorder and wishes of the child and family. Promoting mental health, wellbeing and resilience, as well as intervening early is essential. Nurses have important role in promoting children’s wellbeing.
Research question was “what are nurses’ experiences on treating pediatric mental health patients?” and aim was to find how nurses feel and experience their work with pediatric mental health patients, up to 13-year-olds, in pediatric units and to conclude if there was need for improvements.
The method used was a literature review. Extraction resulted in six studies, but the search was conducted again to have more studies to review. Included 14 studies were analyzed by inductive method.
Data concluded there were feelings of frustration regarding lack of experience and training, lack of resources and support, and worrying about the safety of the children with mental health problems, the other patients and the whole unit. Lack in experience resulted in feeling incompetent in taking care of these children. Nurses stated that general wards were not suitable for pediatric mental health patients regarding they often required more time and separate rooms than other patients. Inconsistency in the care delivery resulted in inequal care for the children and emerged the need for universal guidelines. In conclusion, there are need for more training, support and appropriate services to decrease the feeling of incompetence and lack of confidence, therefore improving the quality of care delivered to pediatric mental health patients. Future research for how to improve the training, support and resources on children’s mental health is recommended.
Research question was “what are nurses’ experiences on treating pediatric mental health patients?” and aim was to find how nurses feel and experience their work with pediatric mental health patients, up to 13-year-olds, in pediatric units and to conclude if there was need for improvements.
The method used was a literature review. Extraction resulted in six studies, but the search was conducted again to have more studies to review. Included 14 studies were analyzed by inductive method.
Data concluded there were feelings of frustration regarding lack of experience and training, lack of resources and support, and worrying about the safety of the children with mental health problems, the other patients and the whole unit. Lack in experience resulted in feeling incompetent in taking care of these children. Nurses stated that general wards were not suitable for pediatric mental health patients regarding they often required more time and separate rooms than other patients. Inconsistency in the care delivery resulted in inequal care for the children and emerged the need for universal guidelines. In conclusion, there are need for more training, support and appropriate services to decrease the feeling of incompetence and lack of confidence, therefore improving the quality of care delivered to pediatric mental health patients. Future research for how to improve the training, support and resources on children’s mental health is recommended.