Investigating psychiatric patients' experiences on the use of seclusion at Zomba Mental Hospital
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Date
2016-04-01
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Abstract
Experiences of psychiatric patients nursed in seclusion have not been adequately explored in Malawi despite that such patients are exposed to painful and traumatic experiences. This study described the experiences of psychiatric patients nursed in seclusion at Zomba Mental Hospital in Malawi. The specific objectives of this study were; to describe the perceptions and experiences of psychiatric patients on the use of seclusion and to identify the needs and problems of psychiatric patients who are nursed in seclusion. Ethical approval was granted by College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee. A descriptive qualitative research design was used.
Purposive sample of 16 participants were involved in face to face in-depth interviews using an interview guide. All participants gave written consent before being interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings of this study revealed that the psychiatric patients who were nursed in seclusions had both positive and negative experiences. The positive experiences included seclusion’s ability to: control patients’ disruptive behaviors; offer protection to patients, others and property and promote rest and sleep to patients. However, patients reported the following negative experiences about seclusion: punishment, torture, being isolated, appalling conditions of seclusion rooms, violation of patients’ rights, lack of interaction and involvement in care, limited access to basic needs and inadequate nursing care. In conclusion, there is need to review the use of seclusion so that patients are provided with humane nursing care which can make patients enjoy therapeutic benefits of seclusion. Health workers must also ensure that conditions of seclusion rooms are conducive for patients’ recovery. This can be made possible by training health workers on effective use of seclusion so that they can
competently care for psychiatric patients without infringing on patients’ rights.