Search

People with mental illness have a higher prevalence of co-occurring physical health conditions and poor health behaviors, leading a mortality gap of up to 16 years, compared with the general population. Nurses working in mental health settings play an important role in addressing factors influencing sub-optimal physical health. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify nurse-led physical health interventions and align interventions to eight recognized physical healthcare priority areas (i.e. Equally Well in Victoria Framework). A systematic search strategy was used to identify relevant literature. Data extraction included alignment to the Equally Well priority areas, research design, and indication of co-design (meaningful and collaborative involvement of consumers and significant others) and recovery-oriented practice (focusing on needs and goals of a consumer's recovery journey). All included papers (n = 74) were aligned to at least one of eight Equally Well priority areas. Papers were predominately quantitative (n = 64, 86%), with the remainder mixed methods (n = 9, 9%) or qualitative (n = 4, 5%). Most papers were aligned to improving metabolic health and support to quit smoking. One study focused on nurse-led intervention designed to reduce falls. Recovery-oriented practice was evident in six papers. No paper described evidence of co-design. A research gap was identified for nurse-led intervention to reduce falls and improve dental/oral care. Relative to mental healthcare policy, there is a need for future nurse-led physical health research to be co-designed and include recovery-oriented practice. Evaluation and description of future nurse-led physical interventions should seek to report perspectives of key stakeholders as these remain relatively unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the views and opinions of nonconsumer researchers to the concept of an Expert Consumer Researcher Group. Design and Methods: Qualitative exploratory involving individual interviews with nonconsumer mental health researchers experienced in working collaboratively with consumer researchers. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings: Participants viewed the concept positively, albeit with caution. Perceived advantages included: greater visibility and enhanced access; collegiality; sharing and creating expertise; broader acceptance; making it mandatory; and structure and location. Participants were concerned about potential tokenism and implementation barriers. Practice Implications: Consumer involvement enhances the quality and relevance of research, potentially impacting clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer collaboration in mental health research has demonstrated significant benefits and reflects both contemporary research practice and policy goals for the expected genuine involvement of consumers in all aspects of mental health service delivery. Notable barriers have been identified as impeding consumer researcher positions that must be better understood and ultimately addressed. The aim of this research was to better understand these barriers from the perspectives of non‐consumer researchers who have worked collegially with consumer researchers. We developed a self‐report survey, Consumers as Researchers in Mental Health (CaRiMH) and administered it to non‐consumer mental health researchers in Australia and New Zealand. Findings suggest a lack of organizational structures to support both consumer research and capacity building of consumer researchers. Most consumer researchers were employed casually with no set hours. Although consumer researchers were typically remunerated, inadequate funding and inflexibility of employment were highlighted as major barriers. There was variation in opinion about token involvement of consumer researchers and some uncertainty about whether these roles, where they existed, were actively resisted. Despite the acknowledged barriers, participants were positive about collaborations with consumer researchers. Overall, findings suggest consumer research is unlikely to proliferate without greater attention to organizational structures. A systematic and strategic approach to advancing mental health consumer research is required, including extra‐organizational policy factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: Contemporary mental health policy stipulates consumer participation in all aspects of mental health services including service evaluation and other forms of mental health research.Research is identified as underpinning quality mental health services, and therefore, consumers researchers could enhance the mental health sector by contributing to the quality, credibility and relevance of mental health research. What this paper adds to existing knowledge?: Non‐consumer researchers generally supported the concept of a consumer expert reference group for researchers at the individual and institutional level.A consumer expert reference group should reflect diversity and offer expertise relevant to the topic of research and may represent one way to normalize partnerships with consumer researchers and realize the benefits they can bring to research. What are the implications for practice?: Quality mental health services are underpinned by robust research evidence. It is crucial that consumers are active participants in research activity.The availability of a consumer expert reference group could facilitate collaborations between consumer and non‐consumer researchers and contribute to a stronger consumer focus embedded in mental health research. Introduction: Contemporary mental health policy identifies consumers as active participants in all aspects of mental health services from design to evaluation. Consumer researchers should be actively involved in mental health research and contribute to quality service delivery. Aim: To gain a snapshot of mental health researcher views on strategies for increasing research by or with consumers in mental health through the establishment of an Expert Consumer Researcher Group (ECRG). Methods: Cross‐sectional survey of 41 non‐consumer mental health researchers from Australia or New Zealand. Results: The introduction of an ECRG was considered an effective strategy for linking consumer and non‐consumer researchers and providing specialist advice on research design and methodology. The most suitable location for this group was identified as within consumer advocacy agencies (71%), universities (66%) or research funding bodies (66%). Participants rated their likelihood of seeking advice from the ECRG as high. Discussion: Research participants supported the value of an ECRG. They emphasized the importance of ensuring the group reflected a diversity of views and offered specialized expertise related to the specific topic. The ECRG could benefit both individual researchers and larger research organizations. Implications for practice: An ECRG could facilitate collaborations with consumer researchers and in turn enhance the quality of mental health research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evaluate the validity of the Opening Minds Scale (OMS) for nursing students via Rasch models and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Design and methods: Undergraduate nursing student responses to OMS (n = 423). Validity was evaluated via CFA and Rasch analysis. Findings: CFA results were strongest for a three‐factor 13‐item version of OMS. Rasch modeling supported sound properties for two of three scales. Internal reliabilities ranged between 0.6 and 0.7. Practice implications: OMS has potential as a valid measure for stigma research and antistigma program evaluation. Rasch analysis suggest it is inappropriate to use a total OMS score for nursing student populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reform to nursing education is essential to ensure future generations of nurses are strongly positioned to value, know, and deliver strength‐based, recovery‐oriented mental health practice. A promising pathway to effectively drive reform is the coproduction of curricula by nursing academics and people with lived experience of recovery from mental distress referred to as Experts by Experience. The Co‐production in Mental Health Nursing Education (COMMUNE) project is an international collaboration for development and implementation of consumer coproduced curricula. This study evaluated the inclusion of Expert by Experience‐led mental health nursing education on nursing students' attitudes to people labelled with mental illness, mental health nursing, and consumer participation. A repeated self‐report measures design was implemented in Australia, Ireland, and Finland to ascertain level of generalizability of consumer involvement within undergraduate nursing programmes. Data were collected from nursing students (n = 194) immediately before and after the education module, using three self‐report instruments on attitudes (Mental Health Nurse Education Survey, Consumer Participation Questionnaire, and Opening Minds Scale). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Eighty‐nine per cent of the 27 points of change reflected more favourable and accepting attitudinal change. Of these, 41% were significant at Bonferroni adjusted alpha of 0.0025. There was a statistically significant increase in preparedness for practice in the mental health field in each of the three countries. The most pronounced change is related to the social and systemic inclusion of people with a diagnostic label and recovery‐oriented care more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stigma associated with a diagnosis of mental illness is well known yet has not reduced significantly in recent years. Health professionals, including nurses, have been found to share similar negative attitudes towards people with labelled with mental illness as the general public. The low uptake of mental health nursing as a career option reflects these stigmatised views and is generally regarded as one of the least popular areas of in which to establish a nursing career. The aim of the current project was to examine nursing students' attitudes towards the concept of mental illness and mental health nursing across four European countries (Ireland, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands), and Australia, using the Opening Minds Scale and the Mental Health Nurse Education survey. The surveys were distributed to students prior to the commencement of the mental health theory component. Attitudes towards mental health nursing were generally favourable. Differences in opinion were evident in attitudes towards mental illness as a construct; with students from Australia and Ireland tending to have more positive attitudes than students from Finland, Norway and the Netherlands. The future quality of mental health services is dependent on attracting sufficient nurses with the desire, knowledge and attitudes to work in mental health settings. Understanding attitudes towards mental illness and mental health nursing is essential to achieving this aim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Coproduction of research between consumers of mental health services and nonconsumer mental health researchers is increasing. There is some research available describing consumer perspectives of this experience. However, there is a notable lack of research on other (nonconsumer) researcher experiences of and views about consumer involvement in coproduced research. A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken to examine perspectives of mental health researchers about consumer involvement in research. In‐depth individual interviews were undertaken with 11 nonconsumer mental health researchers in Australia and New Zealand. Interview transcripts were analysed to identify major themes. There were three interacting themes: the salience of experiential difference, expanded learning, and enhanced research. The dynamic between different perspectives and learning had the effect of enhancing research across the spectrum of study phases and in ensuring research was of value to different groups. The findings emphasize the important contribution consumer researchers can make to mental health research by bringing their unique perspective and enhancing an environment of mutual learning. Findings also point to the need for foregrounding the numerous benefits of joint research between consumer and other researchers to enhance and improve clinical practice and the development of policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in people with serious mental illness, compared to the general population. The main purpose of this study was to determine the extent electronic metabolic monitoring forms were being completed in a regional mental health service and the extent to which diagnoses of metabolic syndrome could be made using the data available. A retrospective file audit of 721 electronic mental health consumer records was undertaken. Metabolic monitoring data were recorded for 261 (36%) consumers, of which 57 (21.8%) met the clinical criteria for metabolic syndrome, 61 (23.4%) did not meet clinical criteria, and diagnoses could not be made for 143 (54.8%) consumers due to missing data. The limited use of electronic health records may inhibit the detection of risk factors for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose A cardiometabolic specialist nursing role could potentially improve physical health of people with serious mental illness. Design and Methods A national survey of Australian nurses working in mental health settings investigated predictors of support for the role. Findings Predictors included belief in physical healthcare neglect, interest in training; higher perceived value of improving physical health care. Practice Implications The findings suggest that nurses see the cardiometabolic health nurse role as a promising initiative for closing gaps in cardiometabolic health care and skilling other nurses in mental health. However, as the majority of variance in cardiometabolic health nurse support was unexplained, more research is urgently needed on factors that explain differences in cardiometabolic health nurse endorsement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers of mental health services have an important role to play in the higher education of nursing students, by facilitating understanding of the experience of mental illness and instilling a culture of consumer participation. Yet the level of consumer participation in mental health nursing programmes in Australia is not known. The aim of the present study was to scope the level and nature of involvement of consumers in mental health nursing higher education in Australia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken involving an internet survey of nurse academics who coordinate mental health nursing programmes in universities across Australia, representing 32 universities. Seventy-eight percent of preregistration and 75% of post-registration programmes report involving consumers. Programmes most commonly had one consumer (25%) and up to five. Face-to-face teaching, curriculum development, and membership-to-programme committees were the most regular types of involvement. The content was generally codeveloped by consumers and nurse academics (67.5%). The frequency of consumer involvement in the education of nursing students in Australia is surprisingly high. However, involvement is noticeably variable across types of activity (e.g. curriculum development, assessment), and tends to be minimal and ad hoc. Future research is required into the drivers of increased consumer involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with serious mental illness (SMI) have increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death, yet research on nurse-provided health promotion in mental health services remains under-developed. This paper informs efforts to improve the nursing role in physical health of consumers with SMI by establishing what nurse perceptions and background influence their care. Members of the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing were invited to participate in an online survey on their views on physical health care in mental health services. Survey questions included: (a) nurse-consumer collaboration in preventative care and (b) sub-sections of the Robson and Haddad Physical Health Attitude Scale to measure nurse perceived barriers to encouraging lifestyle change of consumers with SMI and frequency of nurse physical healthcare practices. Structural equation modelling was applied to investigate antecedents to physical health care, as well as relationships between antecedents. A national sample of 643 nurses reported regular engagement in health promotion (e.g. advice on diet). There was statistical support for a model depicting perceived consumer-nurse collaboration as a dual-determinant of nurse perceived barriers and self-reported health promotion to consumers with SMI. Perceived barriers to consumer lifestyle change did not predict health promotion. The effects of nurse-consumer collaboration were significant, but small. Perceived consumer-nurse collaboration in preventative care may positively influence the amount of health promotion by nurses in mental health. Perceived barriers to consumer adherence with a healthy lifestyle did not have an impact on nurse-delivered health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with serious mental illness experience premature death due to higher rates of cardiometabolic conditions (e.g. cardiovascular disease, diabetes) than the general population. Mental health services often do not provide sufficient cardiometabolic clinical care to address these risks. The cardiometabolic health nurse (CHN) role has been suggested as a strategy for ensuring integrated care is provided and sustained. The views of nurses in mental health would be essential in informing the viability and development for this initiative. This paper presents the findings of open-ended comments from a cross-sectional online survey of nurses working in mental health in Australia ( n  =  643) eliciting views about the possible introduction of the cardiometabolic nurse. Thematic analysis was undertaken, of 133 open comments on this topic. The findings suggest that nurses see the specialist role as suitable and valuable for mental health services. Some nurses voiced concern about specialisation leading to fragmentation (e.g. in responsibilities for physical health, division of mental and physical health care, and less emphasis on equipping all nurses with comprehensive care skills), especially for settings where generalist nursing was seen as already available. The findings suggest this role is viewed favourably by nurses, provided that it is consistent with holistic and comprehensive care. Empirical research is needed to see whether this role increases holism (as valued by consumers and nurses) and cardiometabolic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The aims of this article were to evaluate the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire, and measure nursing students' attitudes to consumer participation. Design and Methods Undergraduate nursing students ( n = 116) completed the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire at the start of a course on recovery for mental health nursing practice. Findings The current findings confirm an endorsement of consumer participation in individual care processes, but less agreement with participation in organizational-level processes, such as management of mental health services and education of providers. This article also confirms that the questionnaire can effectively measure attitudes to consumer participation. Practice Implications The participation of consumers is critical for achieving person-centered services mental health services. It is important that nursing education influence positive attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To combat the increasingly poor physical health of people with serious mental illness, the position of a cardiometabolic health nurse has been proposed. We recently conducted a 26-week trial in a regional mental health service. This paper describes the background and rationale for the position, presents the outcomes on health behaviours and health behaviour knowledge and attitudes, and offers recommendations for the future direction of the role. We show that a cardiometabolic health nurse can improve the physical health behaviours in people with mental illness, however much needs to be done to further develop and implement the role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health policy emphasises the importance of consumer participation in mental health services. To align education with policy and orient future healthcare services to active consumer involvement, the potential of academics with a lived experience of mental illness to impact on student attitudes towards consumer participation needs to be examined. A cohort comparative study was undertaken comparing attitudinal change between undergraduate nursing students undertaking two different mental health courses, one nurse-led ( n  =  61) and one lived experience-led. Attitudes were measured through the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire. Within-cohort change was assessed via dependent sample t-tests, and degree of change was observed in each cohort, by comparing effect sizes. For the nurse-led course, attitudes on consumer involvement t (60)  =  -1.79, p < 0.005 (95% CI: -2.84, -0.74) and consumer as staff t (60)  =  -4.12, p < 0.005 (95% CI: -3.34, -1.16), positively changed with effect size r of 0.40 and 0.47, respectively. For the lived experience-led course, attitudes on consumer capacity t (109)  =  -3.63, p < 0.005 (95% CI: -0.48, -1.41) and consumer as staff, t (109)  =  -5.63, p < 0.005 (95% CI: -0.97, -0.46), positively changed, effect size r of 0.33 and 0.47, respectively. Mental health nursing education has a positive and selective influence on attitudes to consumer participation. Lived experience-led education was more beneficial in changing attitudes to consumer capacity and both types of education had similar positive effects on attitudes to consumers as staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To identify nurse perceptions on the potential value of general and specific nursing approaches to improving physical health outcomes of people with serious mental illness. Background People diagnosed with serious mental illnesses experience heightened rates of physical illnesses and can be supported better via healthcare system prevention and management. Nurses working in mental health are a critical part of a system-wide approach to improving physical health care, but there is little known on their views on specific approaches within Australia (e.g. screening for risks, stigma reduction). Design A national, cross-sectional and nonrandom survey study delivered online. Methods Members of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses ( n = 643), representing nurses employed in mental healthcare services across Australia (71·6% from public mental health services). Participants were asked to rate the potential of nine nurse-based strategies for improving physical health (options: 'yes', 'no', 'not sure') and the potential value of 10 nursing and general strategies for improving physical health (rating from 'negative value' to 'significant value'). Results There was a high endorsement of all nine nurse-based strategies for physical health (e.g. lifestyle programmes, screening, linking services), although there was less support for reducing antipsychotics or advocating for fewer side effects. Participants mainly viewed all strategies as of moderate to significant value, with the most promising value attached to colocation of primary and mental care services, lifestyle programmes and improving primary care services (reduce stigma, train GPs). Conclusions Australian nurses working in mental health services view a range of nurse-based strategies for improving physical healthcare services and standards as important. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses collectively need to work with consumers, health agencies and the general public to further define how to organise and implement physical health integration strategies, towards more comprehensive health care of people with serious mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To identify how frequently nurses in mental health services communicate about physical health of consumers with other healthcare professionals, and whether such collaboration is associated with physical care actions with consumers. Design and Methods An online national Australian survey of nurses in mental health services. Findings Nurses discuss physical health frequently with general practitioners, psychiatrists, and case managers, and less frequently with occupational therapists, social workers, and nurse practitioners. Interprofessional attention was positively associated with direct physical health care such as clinical screening and health education. Practice Implications Interprofessional communication may support nurses in direct physical healthcare actions with consumers. Increasing collaborations with nurse practitioners, social workers, and occupational therapists need to be explored as part of clinical teamwork development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the rate of recruitment of nursing students into mental health nursing (MHN) is vital to long-term sustainability of health care system support for people diagnosed with mental illness. However MHN is not a popular career path; this raises questions about what attitudes and beliefs may divert or attract students to this specialisation. The current research involved a survey of undergraduate nursing students at a regional university in Australia to clarify the nature of relationships between attitudes (e.g., the value of mental health nursing, stereotypes of people with mental illness) and how they may be antecedents to considering MHN as a career path. Through a structural equation model, it was ascertained that anxiety surrounding mental illness leads to less interest in MHN as a future career and suggests that anxiety is (a) partly due to negative stereotypes, and (b) countered by preparedness for a MHN role. Beliefs on how MHN can make a valuable contribution to people's well-being did not affect interest in pursuing MHN. These findings reconfirm the need to reduce anxiety about mental illness by educational approaches that effectively prepare students for MHN, combined with challenging negative stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with serious mental illness have increased rates of physical ill-health and reduced contact with primary care services. In Australia, the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program ( MHNIP) was developed to facilitate access to mental health services. However, as a primary care service, the contribution to physical health care is worthy of consideration. Thirty-eight nurses who were part of the MHNIP participated in a national survey of nurses working in mental health about physical health care. The survey invited nurses to report their views on the physical health of consumers and the regularity of physical health care they provide. Physical health-care provision in collaboration with general practitioners ( GPs) and other health-care professionals was reported as common. The findings suggest that the MHNIP provides integrated care, where nurses and GPs work in collaboration, allowing enough time to discuss physical health or share physical health activities. Consumers of this service appeared to have good access to physical and mental health services, and nurses had access to primary care professionals to discuss consumers' physical health and develop their clinical skills in the physical domain. The MHNIP has an important role in addressing physical health concerns, in addition to the mental health issues of people accessing this service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with serious mental illness ( SMI) die prematurely from common physical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These cardiometabolic risks are preventable and manageable yet these aspects of health care have been neglected in mental health services. A potential nurse-based strategy to decisively improve cardiometabolic health of people with SMI is to introduce a cardiometabolic health nurse ( CHN) into mental health services. The current study aimed to establish the views of nurses working in mental health care on the potential benefits and limits of CHN to improve physical health-care standards in Australia. All members of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses were invited to participate in an online survey and 643 participated. Nurses generally agreed that a CHN role would provide a range of improvements to physical health care, such as increased detection, assessment on, and follow up of cardiometabolic risks, and decreased workload for other nurses. While participants were generally supportive of such a role, they felt it would not be suitable in all health-care settings in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate self-reported health behaviors among Australian adults with mental illness, 1,935 Australian adults completed an online survey including the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and instruments assessing health behaviors in October 2011. Participants with moderate or higher psychological distress reported significantly lower weekly physical activity levels ( p= .024), daily fruit ( p= .001) and vegetable ( p< .001) intakes, and greater regularity of consuming six or more drinks on one occasion ( p= .002) and of smoking within 30 minutes of waking ( p= .001), Participants with very high psychological distress had significantly increased odds ratios for insufficient weekly physical activity (2.38, 95% CI 1.42–4.00), insufficient daily fruit and vegetable intake (1.72, 95% CI 1.03–2.88), and smoking (2.27, 95% CI 1.12–4.60). Australian adults with current mental illness demonstrate significantly poorer health behaviors than those without mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

PURPOSE: The study aims to ascertain nurses' views on their preparedness to provide physical health care, and their identified training needs. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study used a qualitative exploratory design. Thirty-eight nurses working in a regional mental health setting participated in focus groups. FINDINGS: Three main themes were identified: (a) the need for physical healthcare training, (b) modes of training, (c) access to training, and (d) organizational commitment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The philosophy and design of training must reflect workplace context, and take into account individual learning styles. Organizational support is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with serious mental illness are at high-risk for physical illnesses and premature death, and nurses can contribute to ensuring mental health services address these risks. There is very little research examining the role of nurses in mental health who provide physical health care. To identify the levels of participation in physical health care of people with serious mental illness (SMI), a national Internet-based survey of nurses working in mental health in Australia was conducted ( n = 643). The survey included an adapted version of the Robson and Haddad Physical Health Attitude Scale. Data were analysed through comparison of frequencies, correlations, principal components analysis, and Mann-Whitney tests. Nurses reported regular physical health care in 12 of the 17 tasks presented to them. The three most common self-reported physical health care activities were inquiring about consumers' contact with GPs, doing physical assessments, and providing information on drug use and lifestyle. Although some practices were less common (e.g., contraceptive advice) nurses who provided one type of care tended to do other types as well. In addition, credentialing in mental health nursing was associated with slightly more regular engagement in all practice domains except screening and assessments. Nurses in mental health in Australia may be engaged in improving physical health of consumers with SMI more than is assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To determine effectiveness of clinical placements in non-mental health facilities in producing improvement in attitudes toward people with a mental illness and toward mental health nursing in nursing students. Background. Clinical placements in mental health settings have favourably impacted students' attitudes and confidence in mental health settings. Placement shortages have created discussion about using non-mental health settings to gain this experience, as mental illness is common in all health settings. To date, no research findings support or refute the efficacy of non-mental health settings in influencing confidence and attitudes. Design. A within-subject design was used. Participants provided self-report data soon after the beginning and at the conclusion of the mental health component. Methods. A questionnaire was administered to a cohort of undergraduate nursing students ( n = 66) to measure attitudes, preparedness for practice and interest in mental health nursing as a career, using a pre- and post-test design. Results. Only 25% of participants completed clinical experience in a mental health facility. Minor improvement in attitudes, confidence and appreciating the nursing role in mental health were identified, but the impact on attitudes was considerably less favourable than when clinical experience was undertaken in a mental health facility. Conclusion. Participants who completed clinical experience in a non-mental health facility did not demonstrate more favourable views about mental health nursing. Relevance to clinical practice. Clinical placements in mental health are essential preparation for undergraduate students to maximise improvement in attitudes to the care of people diagnosed with a mental illness and to mental health nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT People diagnosed with a mental illness experience poorer physical health than the general population. Nurses have been identified for their potential role in addressing physical health needs of consumers of mental health services. This paper reports on preliminary findings of a qualitative study on health-care services for physical and mental health in a regional area in Australia. A key purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of nurses working in mental health settings of their physical care with consumers. A qualitative, exploratory approach was undertaken. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 38 nurses from one mental health service. Nurse participants described a common co-occurrence of physical problems and mental illness and expressed the importance of health-care services to treatment and prevention. Participants expressed divergent views on nurses' capacity to contribute to better health-care processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between attitudes toward seclusion and levels of burnout, staff satisfaction, and therapeutic optimism. Staff at one district health service inpatient unit ( n = 54) completed surveys on their attitudes toward seclusion and levels of burnout, staff satisfaction, and therapeutic optimism. Several moderately large correlations were found between perceiving the patients as feeling punished by seclusion and intrinsic satisfaction ( rs = -.45, p = .001), and between patients asking to go to the seclusion room and personal accomplishment ( rs = -.39, p = .002). In general, however, most correlations were small or negligible in size. The influence of nurses on the practice of seclusion was clear, with 72% of participants indicating it was nurses who most often make decisions regarding seclusion. Some participants appear to have a broad interpretation of when seclusion should be used, raising doubts about whether it is being employed solely as a measure of last resort. Given their high level of involvement in seclusions, nurses need to be actively involved in organisation-wide initiatives to reduce the use of this practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer participation in all aspects of mental health service delivery, including the education of mental health professionals, is now a policy expectation in Australia. Whether education programs introducing nurses to mental health nursing lead to more favourable attitudes towards consumer participation is yet to be examined in pre-registration nursing programs in Australia. The current evaluation examined changes in scores for the Consumer Participation Survey for undergraduate nursing students ( n = 68) in an Australian University. Data were analysed, using repeated measures t-test, to compare the pre- and post-test scores. There was a significant improvement in views on consumers participating as staff members. There were no statistically significant changes in attitudes towards consumer capacity and consumer involvement in care processes. Consumer participation in mental health care is now clearly articulated in Australian Government policy. For this to be successfully implemented a more comprehensive understanding of the ability of education to influence attitudes is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]