Abstract
This study ais to elucidate expert nurses' practical knowledge on informed consent "IC" in the field of psychiatric treatment, and to conceptually structure their support process. The research design is based on the Grounded Theory Approach (GTA), and analytical methodology of Strauss & Corbin (1988). Subjects, eight nurses: six females and two males, aged 30-54 (average 43), with 6 to 28 years of psychiatric nursing chronic-ward experience (average 14.7 years), and 0.5 to 11.5 years of acute-ward experience (average 3.6 years), within 10 to 34 years of overall clinical experiences (average 22.7 years). Analytical results identified six categories; "relationship building", "communication", "trust building", "introduction/adjustment of medication and cooperation", "self-care and sociality", and "environmental coordination for discharge", in conjunction with a "team approach" providing in foundation for these categories. It has also revealed that a dignity-oriented practical knowledge lies underlies the IC support provided by expert nurses.
