Abstract
Background: Approximately one out of four people in the world are afflicted by mental illness. These patients suffer from somatic diseases to a higher degree and will then require non-psychiatric specialized care. Aim: The aim was to describe factors that affect health professionals' attitudes to patients with mental illness within somatic care. Method: Literature review with a qualitative approach consisting of systematic review of fourteen qualitative and quantitative articles. Results: The results showed that the health professionals experience of lack of knowledge in caring for mentally ill patients which affected their attitudes towards them. Their attitudes were also affected by the lack of support from the organisation, their negative feelings towards the patients as fear and experiences and preconceptions of how the patients are. Discussion: The main findings were: the health professionals' negative attitudes towards the patients' recovery and future, the health professionals' experience of lack of knowledge which made them avoid their patients and the health professionals' fear of aggression and violence from the patients. These findings were discussed against Watson’s theory of transpersonal caring. Conclusions: Nurses needs to improve their ability to satisfy psychological, social and spiritual needs as well as encourage and support hope for the future within the patient.
Date of Award | 2010-Sept-21 |
---|---|
Original language | Swedish |
Supervisor | Irene Persson (Supervisor) |
University credits
- 15 HE credits
Swedish Standard Keywords
- Nursing (30305)
Keywords
- attitude
- mentally ill
- somatic care
- health professionals
- transpersonal caring