Burnout and compassion fatigue among Exercise Physiologists in mental healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Burnout and compassion fatigue (CF) are common among mental health practitioners. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) provide clinical services to individuals experiencing mental illness, increasing their likelihood of experiencing burnout and CF. AIMS: To examine the prevalence of burnout and CF among AEPs working with people experiencing mental illness. METHODS: An anonymous online cross-sectional survey of AEPs working with people experiencing mental illness was distributed via the Exercise and Sports Science Australia Mental Health Special Interest Group Facebook page between July and November 2019. In addition to demographics and caseload data, respondents completed the Professional Quality of Life scale and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Results are reported using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Sixty-two AEPs (68%, n = 42 female) completed the survey. Most (n = 53, 86%) reported delivering services to consumers with severe mental health conditions. Less than half (n = 27, 44%) reported working in a dedicated mental health facility. Moderate levels of burnout and CF were experienced by 60% and 30% of respondents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of moderate burnout and CF symptoms in AEPs is comparable with other mental health professionals. Strategies to preserve psychological well-being such as enhancing mental health training for undergraduates and formalized supervision structures discussed.

An ethnographic study of forensic nursing culture in an Australian prison hospital.

Forensic nurses are faced with unique challenges in their attempt to deliver nursing care in a custodial environment. * The impact of such challenges on the cultural dynamic of forensic nursing and consequently on healthcare delivery is largely unknown. * The aim of this ethnographic study was to explore the nursing culture within an Australian prison hospital and the migration of the culture over a 12-month period. * At the end of the study, the nursing culture was found to be one of hope, although with no clearly articulated vision of nurse-hood or patient-hood and model within which to practice nursing. * The ability to articulate practice is central to the development of mental health nursing in any context. Abstract Forensic nurses are faced with unique challenges in their attempt to deliver nursing care in a custodial environment. The impact of such challenges on the cultural dynamic of forensic nursing and consequently on healthcare delivery is largely unknown. The aim of this ethnographic study was to explore the nursing culture within an Australian prison hospital and the migration of the culture over a 12-month period. At the end of the study the nursing culture was found to be one of hope, although with no clearly articulated vision of nurse-hood or patient-hood and model within which to practice nursing.

The relationship between exercise and hopelessness in prison.

This paper reports on the relationship between the levels of self-reported physical exercise and mental well-being (as measured using the Beck Hopelessness Scale) in a cohort of 914 prisoners within New South Wales, Australia. A significant inverse relationship between self-reported exercise in minutes per week and hopelessness was identified. The need to include exercise as a factor in inmate health plans is discussed.

Seclusion: the quest to determine effectiveness.

1. The decision whether to use seclusion as an intervention often is based on emotional argument and anecdotal evidence. Little research examining effectiveness as an intervention exists. 2. This study compares two units, one of which uses seclusion, around the parameters of resolution time of emergencies, levels of PRN medication used, and the nurses' perception of the effectiveness of used interventions. 3. Results of the study indicate that around some parameters, seclusion may be more effective than alternate interventions. More research is needed.