Sjuksköterskors erfarenhet av att möta äldre personer med depression

Abstract

Background: Mental health issues among the elderly present an increasing challenge for healthcare, particularly for nurses within the health and medical care sectors. The increasing prevalence of depression and anxiety among older individuals underscores the importance of nurses having the knowledge and resources to identify and support this group. Purpose: The purpose of this literature study was to highlight nurses´ experiences of caring for elderly individuals with depression in healthcare settings. Method: A literature study using both qualitative and quantitative approaches was conducted. Searches were carried out in three databases: CINHAL, PUBMED, PSYKINFO, resulting in 11 scientific articles on the topic. The analysis followed Friberg´s four-step model. Results: Nurses reported that their experience in treating elderly individuals with depression in healthcare was lacking. Factors such as limited knowledge and time acted as barriers to providing adequate care to older individuals with depression. Nurses felt that their knowledge of depression in the elderly was insufficient, affecting their ability to effectively identify and treat these conditions. Conclusion: The time pressure during healthcare encounters made it difficult for nurses to thoroughly evaluate depressive symptoms in elderly individuals.

Date of Award	2024-Jun
Original language	Swedish
Supervisor	Charlotte Olsson (Supervisor) & Staffan Karlsson (Examiner)