Assess Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice toward Physical Restraint for Psychiatric Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni Suef University

2 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Ain Shams University

Abstract

This study aimed to assess nurses‟ knowledge, attitude and practice toward physical restraint for psychiatric patients. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at psychiatric emergency departments at El-Abbassia Mental Health Hospital in Cairo. Sampling: A convenience sample of 100 nurses who are working in the previously mentioned settings. Tools: A structured questionnaire sheet to assess nurses‟ characteristics, their knowledge and their attitudes toward physical restraint. The second tool was an observational checklist to assess nurses‟ practice toward physical restraint. Results: revealed that nearly half of the studied nurses were aged between 20 to 30 years and nearly two thirds of them were females. Nearly half of the studied nurses were graduated from technical nursing institute and more than two fifths of them had less than 5 years of experience. Also, it was clear that more than two fifths of them had satisfactory level of knowledge about physical restraint. While two thirds of the studied nurses had incompetent level of practice regarding physical restraint and more than three quarters of them had negative attitude toward physical restraint. Conclusion: The study concluded that, the majority of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge, negative attitudes and incompetent level of practice regarding physical restraint. Recommendations: The study recommended that, implementation of training program for nurses regarding physical restraint. Continuous monitoring and teaching on spot from nurse supervisor is needed to ensure quality of care provided by nurses for physical restraint of psychiatric patient.

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