Mental health inpatients’ and staff members’ suggestions for reducing physical restraint: A qualitative study
Authors: Wilson C. , Rouse L. , Rae S. , Kar Ray M. 
Published: January 2018

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Restraint has negative psychological, physical and relational consequences for mental health patients and staff.

Restraint reduction interventions have been developed (e.g., “Safewards”).

Limited qualitative research has explored suggestions on how to reduce physical restraint (and feasibility issues with implementing interventions) from those directly involved.

What does this paper add to existing knowledge?

This paper explores mental health patients’ and staff members’ suggestions for reducing physical restraint, whilst addressing barriers to implementing these.

Findings centred on four themes: improving communication and relationships; staffing factors; environment and space; and activities and distraction. Not all suggestions are addressed by currently available interventions.

Barriers to implementation were identified, centring on a lack of time and/or resources; with the provision of more time for staff to spend with patients and implement interventions seen as essential to reducing physical restraint.

What are the implications for practice?

Improving communication and relationships between staff/patients, making staffing‐related changes, improving ward environments and providing patient activities are central to restraint reduction in mental healthcare.

Fundamental issues related to understaffing, high staff turnover, and lack of time and resources need addressing in order for suggestions to be successfully implemented.

Introduction

Physical restraint has negative consequences for all involved, and international calls for its reduction have emerged. Some restraint reduction interventions have been developed, but limited qualitative research explores suggestions on how to reduce physical restraint (and feasibility issues with implementation) from those directly involved.

Aims

To explore mental health patients’ and staff members’ suggestions for reducing physical restraint.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 13 inpatients and 22 staff members with experience of restraint on adult mental health inpatient wards in one UK National Health Service Trust.

Results

Findings centred on four overarching themes: improving communication and relationships between staff/patients; making staff‐related changes; improving ward environments/spaces; and having more activities. However, concerns were raised around practicalities/feasibility of their implementation.

Discussion

Continued research is needed into best ways to reduce physical restraint, with an emphasis on feasibility/practicality and how to make time in busy ward environments.

Implications for Practice

Improving communication and relationships between staff/patients, making staffing‐related changes, improving ward environments and providing patient activities are central to restraint reduction in mental healthcare. However, fundamental issues related to understaffing, high staff turnover and lack of time/resources need addressing in order for these suggestions to be successfully implemented.