The perceptions of nurses working in mental health about the practice of seclusion in Malta.

Abstract

The aim of this research study was to identify how nurses working in a mental health hospital in Malta perceived the practice of seclusion. A purposive sample of six nurses, working in acute mental health settings where seclusion is practiced participated in this study. The objectives of this study were to identify the nurses' perceptions of seclusion and their implications as well as to compare and contrast the findings with similar studies in other countries. Findings in this study generally agreed with similar studies carried out elsewhere. In fact participants generally agreed that seclusion should be used as a last resort measure. Findings also outlined violence as a determining factor in the use of seclusion. Also alternative strategies such as the use of medications and one to one nursing supervision were also highlighted. Issues such as shortage of staff and the ward environment were also pointed out. This study also showed that secluding a patient might have an emotional impact on the nurses involved. This means that to improve psychiatric nursing care and the patients' quality of life one has to reduce the use of seclusion by means of improvement in practice, further research and nurses' training and education.