Search

This study aimed to describe the psychiatric nursing care experiences of immigrant patients. The incidence of mental health problems is higher and the use of mental health services is lower among immigrants, especially refugees, compared with the majority of the population. The study uses a qualitative research approach, with an emphasis on focused ethnography research methods. The participants were immigrant patients (N = 14) residing in adult psychiatric wards of certain hospitals (N = 3) selected for the study. A majority of the participants were refugees or asylum seekers. A total of 21 in‐depth interviews were conducted. The experiences of these immigrant patients, both in their home countries and in their country of residence, had had an adverse effect on their mental health, with past traumatic experiences being the most central factor. Their symptoms included depression, anxiety, somatization, and psychosis. The findings show that the categories of factors that helped promote recovery among immigrant patients were nursing, medical treatment, care environment, and the patients' own methods. Based on the findings, a systematic evaluation of traumatic experiences is recommended for immigrants from countries with a history of war and/or political violence. Healthcare providers should also consider the importance of cultural desire in psychiatric nursing for the recovery of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted for the purpose of describing nurses' experiences caring for immigrant patients in psychiatric units. The topics investigated include how nurses describe the reasons for their immigrant patients' illnesses, how nurses experience caring for immigrant patients and what kind of impact cultural factors have on nursing. Especially refugees face complex barriers in accessing the health care system, and challenges exist when it comes to delivering high-quality care to this vulnerable population. Qualitative research methods were used in the study, and the main emphasis was on focused ethnography research methods. The informants were nurses (N = 5) working in adult psychiatry wards of the study's hospitals. Data were collected by means of indepth interviews, observation, field notes and documentation of care by nursing staff of immigrant patients (N=9). Nurses' experiences caring for immigrant patients formed four stages: admission, the beginning of care, collaboration and the finishing stage. Suspicions about the asylum process and cultural conflicts add to the workload in nursing. It was not common to use transcultural nursing methods or an interpreter. Family-oriented nursing and use of interpreter services by nurses should be increased in the care of immigrant patients. By becoming aware of the existing challenges, their manifestations and by supporting the professional wellbeing of psychiatric nurses, enables them to concentrate to the essence of compassionate nursing as well as to ensure the rights of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]