The views of community mental health nurses on their role in the physical healthcare of people with serious mental illness

People with serious mental illness (SMI) have higher morbidity and mortality rates than the general population, but often receive substandard physical healthcare. The literature suggests community mental health nurses (CMHNs) are in a prime position to address the physical healthcare needs of these clients. The aim of this study is to explore CMHNs' views on their role in the physical healthcare of people with SMI. The purpose is to encourage CMHNs and others to reflect on CMHNs' role in the physical healthcare of people with SMI. The objectives are to explore CMHNs' understandings of physical healthcare needs that people with SMI often have, CMHNs' experiences of addressing physical healthcare needs of people with SMI, and CMHNs' views on their role in the physical healthcare of people with SMI. A qualitative study using an exploratory descriptive design has been undertaken. Purposeful sampling resulted in individual interviews with eight self-selecting CMHNs from three District Health Boards (DHBs). Open coding was used to identify categories, themes and sub themes. The categories identified from the interviews were 1) Relationships, 2) Roles and Responsibilities, and 3) Ways Forward. Participants' views were supported with direct quotes. The findings indicated an overall commitment by participants to ensure the physical healthcare needs of people with SMI were met, even when this resulted in having a 'hidden workload' outside their scope of practice, or feeling they were the 'only one' involved in the physical healthcare of clients. Demands on CMHNs' time and resources when providing physical healthcare were highlighted. Suggestions for the future include clarifying CMHNs' scope of practice, providing further education for CMHNs, and improving collaboration between physical and mental healthcare services.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Nursing

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Eastern Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Wiffin, Lyn

• New Zealand
• community mental health nurses (CMHN)
• serious mental illness
• physical healthcare
• roles
• interviews

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6371

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10652/6371