Factors affecting mental health nurses working with clients with first‐episode psychosis: A qualitative study
Authors: Odeyemi Constance , Morrissey Jean , Donohue Gráinne 
Published: June 2018

Accessible summary

What is known about the subject?

First‐episode psychosis (FEP) usually occurs in adolescence, a time of great change and upheaval and the effect on the sufferer and their family can be immense

The nurse's role is to alleviate this suffering, aid recovery and minimize the risk of relapse. They manage this onerous task ideally through the therapeutic relationship, and use the skills of assessment and risk identification in order to maximize patient outcomes.

What does the study add to existing knowledge?

The study adds knowledge about the challenges that mental health nurses experience specifically in the presentation of first‐episode psychosis

The findings of this study reinforce the idea that pathways to care need to be clearly identified with a community‐wide educational led experience

This study illuminates the fact that additional training and formalized clinical supervision are necessary for mental health nurses to improve quality of care and reduce stress levels, both of which lead to better clinical outcomes.

What are the implications for practice?

Mental Health nurses should engage with additional training, formalized clinical supervision and avail of peer support in order to improve confidence, skills and quality of care.

Dialogue among mental healthcare colleagues is important not only about caring for people presenting with a first‐episode psychosis but in relation to the wider community and family. This demonstrates the need for family‐centred care within the mental health profession.

There should be more recognition of the social impact on the individual during untreated psychosis with regard to isolation and withdrawal as well as factors which also affect help‐seeking behaviours.

Introduction

Although there is much research on mental health nurses working with individuals presenting with psychosis, there is a lack of knowledge about the factors that impact the experience of nurses in the presentation specifically of first‐time psychosis.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the factors that impact on the experience of mental health nurses working with individuals and their families who present with a first‐time psychosis.

Method

This qualitative study was conducted through individual semi‐structured interviews with eight mental health nurses recruited from community mental health settings with a minimum of 2 years post‐qualification experience. Data were then subjected to a thematic content analysis.

Results

This study identified the importance of therapeutic engagement, as well as the need to have clear pathways to care and building capacity through clinical supervision and training when working with this population.

Implications for practice

Mental Health nurses should engage with additional training, formalized clinical supervision and avail of peer support in order to improve confidence, skills and quality of care, leading to better therapeutic engagement. Pathways to care should be embedded within the wider community to ensure ease of access for individuals and their families. There should be more recognition of the social impact on the individual during untreated psychosis with regard to isolation and withdrawal as well as factors which also affect help‐seeking behaviours.