ABSTRACT
1. Both clinicians and consumers identified the importance of maintaining relationships and experiencing success as helpful in building and nurturing hope for consumers. 2. To provide holistic care, clinicians need to discuss spirituality and meaning with clients. 3. Because being hopeful is an active process, clinicians need to talk to clients about hope, openly, realistically, and strategically.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Attitude to Health , Morale , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adult , Female , Goals , Humans , Internal-External Control , Male , Middle Aged , Needs Assessment , Nursing Methodology Research , Professional-Patient Relations , Religion and Psychology , Self Concept , Social Support , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
This qualitative study identifies factors that influence staff hopefulness in their work with individuals with schizophrenia. Fifteen mental health professionals from both inpatient and community settings were interviewed via a semi-structured questionnaire. Subjects described the following as important to their hopefulness: knowing clients as people, sharing client successes, and receiving recognition for their accomplishments. Several educational, research, and system issues were also identified as influencing hopefulness. Respondents also described barriers to hopefulness arising from clients, coworkers and public attitudes. The relevance of these findings to promoting hopeful working environments is discussed.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Health Personnel/psychology , Morale , Schizophrenia/therapy , Female , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Male , Nursing Methodology Research , Organizational Culture , Prognosis , Schizophrenic Psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , WorkplaceABSTRACT
Nurses have many opportunities to assist individuals with schizophrenia because of the frequency and nature of their contacts. The nurses in this study believed that they can make a difference and can identify hope-instilling strategies. Strategies for rehabilitation include assisting persons with schizophrenia to set goals, seeing them as people, and joining with them on their journey of recovery. Recognizing that the establishment of the relationship is central in assisting the development of client hope, and (hopefully) eventual recovery, may help nurses to persevere despite what may be a challenging and lengthy process.
Subject(s)
Motivation , Patient Care Team , Psychotherapy/methods , Schizophrenia/therapy , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Goals , Humans , Nurse-Patient Relations , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
1. A person with mental illness, such as schizophrenia, can be mobilized to maintain hope. 2. A relationship seems to be the catalyst that allows hope to develop exponentially. 3. A belief in the client's abilities can be a powerful motivator for change.
Subject(s)
Motivation , Nurse-Patient Relations , Schizophrenia/nursing , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adult , Family/psychology , Female , Goals , Humans , PsychotherapyABSTRACT
The author discusses the importance of building a social network for chronic mentally disabled patients living in the community. A literature review that includes cross-cultural studies suggests the chronic mentally disabled fare better in the community if they have a support system that provides assigned roles and regular contact with people and that does not produce great stress. The Fennell Program Day Center, an activity and social program for the chronic mentally disabled, is described, with emphasis on its role in providing a social network for its clients. By keeping expectations low and enhancing a family-like atmosphere, staff have been able to help clients develop reciprocal social relationships.
Subject(s)
Day Care, Medical/organization & administration , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Social Environment , Social Support , Activities of Daily Living , Adult , Aged , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Middle Aged , OntarioABSTRACT
The movement of chronic mentally ill patients from large mental hospitals into the community, seeks to liberate institutionalized clients and substitute a more humane environment. This article reviews the types of chronic mental patients now living in the community. The differences between a maintenance and a rehabilitation model for treating the chronic mental patient living in the community are discussed. Special treatment programs for the young adult chronic client are also considered. Three questions specific to occupational therapists working with chronic mentally ill patients in the community are then explored. These are: A. How can we increase the visibility of occupational therapy in community mental health?; B. Should occupational therapists be involved in programs which have a maintenance, rather than a rehabilitation focus?: and C. What has the occupational therapist to offer the young adult chronic client?
Subject(s)
Community Mental Health Services/organization & administration , Occupational Therapy/statistics & numerical data , Canada , Chronic Disease/therapy , Deinstitutionalization , Humans , Models, TheoreticalABSTRACT
After discussing maintenance as an appropriate treatment philosophy for treating the long-term chronically mentally disabled, the authors describe a day centre based on this approach. Resources and costs, the target population, clients and their needs, activities, and referral and back-up procedures are reviewed. The article concludes with a look at some of the problem areas and benefits involved in a program using a maintenance approach.
