How mental health clinicians assess and manage the risk of violence from mental health consumers: a descriptive exploratory research investigation
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Date
2016
Authors
Smit, Jacqueline Teresa
Editors
Advisors
Cusack, Lynette
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Abstract
The advent of deinstitutionalisation has increased the number of mental health
consumers in the community. Consequently, community mental health clinicians
(CMHC) now play an increasingly important role in caring for mental health
consumers, which raises the question of how CMHCs maintain their safety. The
overall aim of the research was to improve the safety of CMHCs when caring for
mental health consumers. In light of this question, a literature search was conducted
to investigate how CMHCs assess and manage the risk of violence from mental health
consumers in the community. The literature search provided background information
about deinstitutionalisation but also revealed there was a paucity of research about the
subject of risk assessment and management by CMHCs. This research was conducted
to gain an understanding of the strategies of risk assessment and management in
community mental health. A descriptive exploratory qualitative research methodology
was selected. The research was conducted in a community mental health centre in a
metropolitan region of South Australia. Individual interviews of eleven CMHCs
provided data, which was thematically analysed and interpreted. The main themes that
emerged were: preparing to meet the consumer; intervention strategies for safety; and
organisational management. There were several strategies that were consistently
upheld by CMHCs such as gaining information about a consumer; appraisal of the
environment; careful attention to exit strategies; and appropriate interaction with the
consumer according to their mental state. Concurrently, the research findings raised
awareness of the need for improvement in certain areas relating to: communication
within the team; training requirements for CMHCs; and awareness of the policies and
procedures and Work Health and Safety Standards. This research has also highlighted
new areas of interest for future research.
School/Discipline
School of Nursing
Dissertation Note
Thesis (M.Nurs.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Nursing, 2016
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