Effectiveness of Training Program to Improve Recovery-Orientation for Nurse Working in the Psychiatric Wards

Abstract

The present study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of a training program to improve recovery orientation for nurses working in psychiatric wards.

Forty-four nurses participated in the training program, and completed self-reported questionnaires both pre-and post-training. Then, their knowledge about and attitudes toward the concept of recovery, and degrees of strength-focused approach were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Our results indicate that the training program led to a further understanding of recovery, and improved recovery orientation. The findings also showed that through engaging in dialogue to gain an understanding of the patient’s strength, the concept of recovery is understood as knowledge, which was deepened through practical experience. Furthermore, changes in the attitudes of the nurses regarding support were revealed. They started to believe in their patients’ potential and to respect the will of the patients.

However, recovery-orientation may stagnate depending on the difficulties encountered in clinical practice. Therefore, there is a continuous need for systems and opportunities to follow up on difficulties regarding a recovery-orientation approach.