Psychiatric staff attitudes toward coercive measures: An experimental design.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a training program on the attitudes of psychiatric nurses toward using coercive measures.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A repeated measures time-series design with two-equivalent groups was used. A convenience sample of 48 psychiatric nurses were recruited. Data collection was conducted using the Staff Attitude to Coercion Scale.

FINDINGS

Results showed the effectiveness of the training program in improving nurses' attitude toward coercive measures. After 4 weeks of the training, nurses in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in their attitude mean scores.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Equipping the psychiatric nurses with essential clinical knowledge and skills concerning the appropriate application of coercive measures policy were imperative issues that might help the nurses in dealing with these clinical complex situations effectively.