An observational study of providing structure as a psychiatric nursing intervention.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To observe the actions of psychiatric nurses when providing structure and identify results in order to better understand providing structure as a complex nursing intervention. DESIGN AND METHOD: Participant observation data were collected on a dual diagnosis ward and a crisis intervention ward in a mental healthcare organization. A total of 52 events were selected that involved providing structure. FINDINGS: Three phases in the processing of providing structure were identified the start of the interaction, the interaction phase, and the end of the interaction. For each phase in the intervention, both critical nurse and patient responses were coded. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The results of this observational study contribute to a formalization of the nursing intervention "providing structure" in the Nursing Interventions Classification.