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Perceptions of ambulance nurses on their knowledge and competence when assessing psychiatric mental illness

Todorova, Lizbet LU ; Johansson, Anders LU and Ivarsson, Bodil LU (2021) In Nursing Open 8(2). p.946-956
Abstract

Aims and objectives: To obtain the current perception of the knowledge and competence of pre-hospital emergency specialist nurses (ambulance) in attending patients with psychiatric symptoms. Background: Psychiatric illnesses have increased throughout the population. Consequently, pre-hospital emergency services frequently attend individuals with suspected or known mental illnesses. Design: We employed a set of quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of ambulance nurses' self-evaluated knowledge. Methods: Seven ambulance nurses received and completed a survey questionnaire prior commencing employment in November 2019. Then, we conducted interviews to explore ambulance nurses' perceptions of their own knowledge... (More)

Aims and objectives: To obtain the current perception of the knowledge and competence of pre-hospital emergency specialist nurses (ambulance) in attending patients with psychiatric symptoms. Background: Psychiatric illnesses have increased throughout the population. Consequently, pre-hospital emergency services frequently attend individuals with suspected or known mental illnesses. Design: We employed a set of quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of ambulance nurses' self-evaluated knowledge. Methods: Seven ambulance nurses received and completed a survey questionnaire prior commencing employment in November 2019. Then, we conducted interviews to explore ambulance nurses' perceptions of their own knowledge and competence when attending individuals with mental disorders. The surveys were analysed with descriptive statistics, followed by content analysis. Results: Three topics emerged: the encounter of patients with mental illness; the awareness of lacking knowledge about mental illnesses; and the expectations for future Prehospital Emergency Psychiatric Response Teams. Although ambulance nurses already possessed basic knowledge regarding psychiatric illnesses, it was insufficient, based on their perception of appropriate care. Ambulance nurses considered that combining pre-hospital and psychiatric expertise in the pre-hospital emergency unit would increase their in-depth knowledge about various psychiatric illnesses, the treatment options and the alternatives regarding where to deliver patients for continued care.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
ambulance services, ambulance specialist nurse, communication, competence, inter-professional, medical skills, mental illness, mixed methods, psychiatric care, suicide
in
Nursing Open
volume
8
issue
2
pages
946 - 956
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85096723519
  • pmid:33570281
ISSN
2054-1058
DOI
10.1002/nop2.703
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7344e367-ccb3-4ce2-b0bf-b99badae6597
date added to LUP
2020-12-07 13:48:27
date last changed
2024-06-13 01:12:58
@article{7344e367-ccb3-4ce2-b0bf-b99badae6597,
  abstract     = {{<p>Aims and objectives: To obtain the current perception of the knowledge and competence of pre-hospital emergency specialist nurses (ambulance) in attending patients with psychiatric symptoms. Background: Psychiatric illnesses have increased throughout the population. Consequently, pre-hospital emergency services frequently attend individuals with suspected or known mental illnesses. Design: We employed a set of quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of ambulance nurses' self-evaluated knowledge. Methods: Seven ambulance nurses received and completed a survey questionnaire prior commencing employment in November 2019. Then, we conducted interviews to explore ambulance nurses' perceptions of their own knowledge and competence when attending individuals with mental disorders. The surveys were analysed with descriptive statistics, followed by content analysis. Results: Three topics emerged: the encounter of patients with mental illness; the awareness of lacking knowledge about mental illnesses; and the expectations for future Prehospital Emergency Psychiatric Response Teams. Although ambulance nurses already possessed basic knowledge regarding psychiatric illnesses, it was insufficient, based on their perception of appropriate care. Ambulance nurses considered that combining pre-hospital and psychiatric expertise in the pre-hospital emergency unit would increase their in-depth knowledge about various psychiatric illnesses, the treatment options and the alternatives regarding where to deliver patients for continued care.</p>}},
  author       = {{Todorova, Lizbet and Johansson, Anders and Ivarsson, Bodil}},
  issn         = {{2054-1058}},
  keywords     = {{ambulance services; ambulance specialist nurse; communication; competence; inter-professional; medical skills; mental illness; mixed methods; psychiatric care; suicide}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{946--956}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Nursing Open}},
  title        = {{Perceptions of ambulance nurses on their knowledge and competence when assessing psychiatric mental illness}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nop2.703}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/nop2.703}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}