Clinical
Our clinical nursing articles aim to inform and educate nurse practitioners and students. This is achieved through the publication of peer-reviewed, evidence-based, relevant and topical articles.
Three issues for mental health nurse educators preparing new preregistration programmes
Areas nurse educators need to address when developing preregistration nursing programmes
Sensory modulation in mental health practice
Why you should read this article • To understand how sensory modulation can assist service users with mental health conditions • To enhance your knowledge on the methods and materials you can use to implement sensory modulation interventions • To recognise the potential challenges with implementing sensory modulation in practice Sensory modulation approaches have become increasingly prevalent in Australian mental health practice over the past few years, but their use in UK mental health services remains in its early stages. A growing evidence base supports the use of sensory modulation, with positive outcomes reported by service users and mental health practitioners across inpatient and community settings. The aim of this article is to provide an introduction to sensory modulation, identifying optimal practice and requirements for its implementation. It provides an overview of the latest evidence for sensory assessment and interventions, along with a review of relevant methods and materials. The article also discusses the benefits and challenges associated with sensory modulation. While sensory modulation is an effective and acceptable intervention that supports service user recovery, further research is required to consolidate knowledge on optimal practice.
Timely diagnosis and disclosure of dementia for patients and their families
Mental health nurses have an important role in providing expertise to GPs
Veterans’ experiences of alcohol use of UK military personnel
On leaving active service, veterans should be provided with greater mental health support
Use of a mnemonic to support suicide intervention training for nursing students
Update your knowledge of the nurse’s role in suicide assessment and management
Effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction group programme on family carers
Study identified that mindfulness skills can be used in various ways in family carers’ lives
An interprofessional practice development group for newly qualified and new-to-role...
There is a wealth of literature focusing on the transition from being a new graduate to being a newly qualified member of staff. However, the needs of the new-to-role practitioner, who may be expected to manage challenging caseloads and coordinate care, are rarely explored. New-to-role mental health clinicians, particularly in the community, can work alone and experience complex challenges. To meet these demands, an interprofessional practice development group was formed. Clinical practice educators, alongside clinical team managers, designed a programme of six sessions of three hours to be delivered over a six-month period. The programme was delivered to two cohorts of new-to-role or newly qualified mental health staff from a nursing, occupational therapy or social work background. The sessions focused on the role of the care coordinator, on how the last month had been for participants and on discussing relevant articles and case studies. To evaluate the course, participants completed a pre- and post-group questionnaire. There was an improvement in their confidence and competence, but not in their skills.
Efficacy of mental health crisis houses compared with acute mental health wards: a...
Background Crisis houses are an alternative to acute psychiatric hospital admission. Aim To review evidence of the efficacy of mental health crisis houses as an alternative to acute hospital admissions. Method A systematic search of studies drawing on eight databases was undertaken, with a total of 135 articles identified. After the selection process, six quantitative and two qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria of the review. Of these, the quantitative studies were assessed for methodological quality using a 21-item tool and all studies were analysed using thematic synthesis. Findings Four of the studies were rated methodologically strong and two as methodologically moderate. It was found that people admitted to crisis houses experience fewer negative events, have more autonomy, receive more holistic care and spend more time with staff members. They also receive more peer support and report more therapeutic relationships with staff. Conclusion Service users who access crisis houses rather than acute wards tend to rate their recovery as lower and think that pharmacological treatments are less available. Crisis house admissions are shorter and less expensive than acute ward stays, but do not always prevent admission to hospital.
Rethinking concurrent disorders: implications and future directions for nursing practice
Concurrent disorders as conceptualised in academic literature and practice guidelines
Development of a suicide intervention training programme for secondary mental health...
This article describes the elements of a suicide intervention training programme, known as the ‘I CARED and Shared’ model
Using cognitive behaviour therapy techniques with people who hold delusional beliefs
This article uses a case study approach to increase awareness of CBT skills
Clozapine-induced constipation: a service evaluation
All nurses need to be aware of the dangers associated with clozapine-induced constipation