The investigation of early warning signs of aggression in forensic patients by means of the 'Forensic Early Signs of Aggression Inventory'.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The Forensic Early Warning Signs of Aggression Inventory (FESAI) was developed to assist nurses and patients in identifying early warning signs and constructing individual early detection plans (EDP) for the prevention of aggressive incidents. The aims of this research were as follows: First, to study the prevalence of early warning signs of aggression, measured with the FESAI, in a sample of forensic patients, and second, to explore whether there are any types of warning signs typical of diagnostic subgroups or offender subgroups. BACKGROUND: Reconstructing patients' changes in behaviour prior to aggressive incidents may contribute to identify early warning signs specific to the individual patient. The EDP comprises an early intervention strategy suggested by the patient and approved by the nurses. Implementation of EDP may enhance efficient risk assessment and management. DESIGN: An explorative design was used to review existing records and to monitor frequencies of early warning signs. METHODS: Early detection plans of 171 patients from two forensic hospital wards were examined. Frequency distributions were estimated by recording the early warning signs on the FESAI. Rank order correlation analyses were conducted to compare diagnostic subgroups and offender subgroups concerning types and frequencies of warning signs. RESULTS: The FESAI categories with the highest frequency rank were the following: (1) anger, (2) social withdrawal, (3) superficial contact and (4) non-aggressive antisocial behaviour. There were no significant differences between subgroups of patients concerning the ranks of the four categories of early warning signs. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the FESAI covers very well the wide variety of occurred warning signs reported in the EDPs. No group profiles of warning signs were found to be specific to diagnosis or offence type. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Applying the FESAI to develop individual EDPs appears to be a promising approach to enhance risk assessment and management.

The development of the Forensic Early Warning Signs of Aggression Inventory: preliminary findings toward a better management of inpatient aggression.

OBJECTIVE: "Early warning signs of aggression" refers to recurring changes in behaviors, thoughts, perceptions, and feelings of the patient that are considered to be precursors of aggressive behavior. The early recognition of these signs offers possibilities for early intervention and prevention of aggressive behaviors in forensic patients. The Forensic Early warning Signs of Aggression Inventory (FESAI) was developed to assist nurses and patients in identifying and monitoring these early warning signs of aggression. METHODS: The FESAI was developed by means of qualitative and quantitative strategies. One hundred seventy six early detection plans were studied to construct a list of early warning signs of aggression. Inventory drafting was done by merging and categorizing early warning signs. Forensic nursing professionals assessed face validity, and interrater agreement was tested. RESULTS: The investigation of early detection plans resulted in the FESAI, which contains 44 early warning signs of aggression subdivided into 15 main categories. The face validity of the form was very good, and the interrater agreement was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings indicate that the FESAI provides a useful listing of early warning signs of aggression in forensic patients. It may facilitate the construction of early detection plans for the prevention of aggressive behaviors in forensic psychiatry.

C-reactive protein point-of-care testing for lower respiratory tract infections: a qualitative evaluation of experiences by GPs.

OBJECTIVES: To explore GPs' attitudes to and experiences of introducing C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in primary care. METHODS: Semi-structured interview study with 20 GPs who participated in the IMPAC(3)T randomized trial evaluating the effect of GP use of CRP POCT on management of LRTI. Main outcomes were GPs' experiences and views about CRP POCT in general practice, including its role in guiding antibiotic prescribing decisions and applicability and implementation in daily practice. RESULTS: GPs expressed mainly positive attitudes. Test results were rapidly available to support diagnostic and therapeutic processes for LRTI and other common infections, enhancing patient and GP confidence in prescribing decisions and empowering GPs to prescribe antibiotics less often. GPs were concerned about responding to ambiguous test results. They regarded financial reimbursement for using the test as essential for successful uptake. CONCLUSIONS: GPs were generally positive about CRP POCT, and they felt that it empowered them to safely prescribe fewer antibiotics for LRTI without alienating their patients. Successful wider implementation should address reimbursement and updating management guidelines to include the place of CRP POCT.

"How Do You Feel about Antibiotics for This?" A Qualitative Study of Physician Attitudes towards a Context-Rich Communication Skills Method.

To explore experiences with and views of general practitioners (GPs) on a physician communication training method in primary care and its applicability and implementation in daily practice, we performed a semi-structured qualitative study of GPs' experience of training in and implementing a communication skills training program for managing lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) which included a seminar, simulated patient consultation together with providing and receiving feedback on ones own transcript, and a seminar in a structured approach to the LRTI consultation. Seventeen out of 20 eligible GPs who had participated in the IMPAC³T trial and were allocated to receiving enhanced physician communication training for managing lower respiratory tract infection participated. GPs' experiences with the physician communication training method and its specific components were positive. The method gave GPs additional tools for managing LRTI consultations and increased their sense of providing evidence-based management. During the study, GPs reported using almost all communication items covered in the training, but some GPs stated that the communication skills diluted over time, and that they continued to use a selected set of the skills. The general communication items were most regularly used. Implementation of the method in daily practice helped GPs to prescribe fewer antibiotics in LRTI with the only perceived disadvantage being time-pressure. This study suggests that GPs felt positive about the physician communication training method for enhanced management of LRTI in primary care. GPs continued to use some of the communication items, of which general communication items were the most common. Furthermore, GPs believed that implementation of the communication skills in daily practice helped them to prescribe fewer antibiotics. The context-rich communication method could have wider application in common conditions in primary care.