Visiting Psychiatric Nursing Care That Clients Want to Receive

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the traits of nursing care provided by visiting psychiatric nurses that clients want to receive by analyzing clients' narratives.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 11 clients receiving care from visiting psychiatric nurses, and the responses were analyzed qualitatively.

Results: After analysis, six categories regarding visiting psychiatric nursing care were identified: “having fun and relaxing conversations with clients,” “listening to clients' narratives while being optimistic about clients' thoughts and potential abilities,” “listening to clients' narratives about their past experiences and hopes for the future,” “conversing with clients about their mental illness and supporting the ways clients cope and change,” “assisting in clients' daily lives based on understanding the effects of their mental illness,” and “being attentive to clients' physical condition and speaking with them on how to improve it.”

Conclusion: The results indicated the importance for nurses to recognize that “having fun and relaxing conversations with clients” and “listening to clients' narratives about their past experiences and hopes for the future” are important care components of visiting psychiatric nursing. It was also suggested that nurses need to reflect on their own values and attitudes and be aware of their personal preconceptions in order to be a reliable partner for clients. Furthermore, the significance of nurses' support for clients' physical health, mental health, and daily life through their focus on clients' experiences was indicated.