Implementing physical exercise and music interventions for patients suffering from dementia on an acute psychogeriatric inpatient ward.

Background: Increasing attention is focusing on psychosocial interventions for treating patients with dementia. Aims: This observational intervention study investigated the impact of physical exercise and music interventions among patients with dementia on an acute psychogeriatric ward. Materials and methods: The data were collected during February 2009-December 2010 (n = 89; treatment as usual) and during April 2011-March 2013 (n = 86; treatment as usual with physical exercise, e.g. balance, flexibility, strength training, and music interventions, e.g. singing, listening to music and playing instruments). The primary outcome measure was the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the secondary outcome measures were the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living, the Barthel Index, and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: In both groups, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) decreased (p < .001) but daily functioning deteriorated (p < .001). No significant between-group differences for either outcome variable were found. Based on linear mixed models, fewer exercise sessions associated with more severe symptoms (p = .030), and the time variable (admission/discharge) with a decline in the level of NPS (p < .001). Moreover, female gender (p = .026) and more exercise sessions (p = .039) associated with an increased level of functioning (p = .031) and the time variable (admission/discharge) with a drop in the level of functioning during hospitalization (p < .001). Conclusion: Although no differences were found between the study groups, analysis within the intervention group suggest that physical exercise may have some positive effects for both NPS and the level of functioning in some patients with dementia while no positive effects regarding music interventions were found.

Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and related disorders: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Improving the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia is emphasized all over the world. AIM: To identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of family interventions, patient education, social skills training and vocational rehabilitation on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and related disorders. METHOD: A systematic literature review. RESULTS: There is some but weak evidence that family intervention and vocational rehabilitation may enhance the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.

Outcome of neuropsychiatric symptoms and daily functioning of patients with dementia treated on an acute psychogeriatric ward.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is associated with progressive deterioration in multiple cognitive domains, functional impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with the outcome of NPS and daily functioning in patients with dementia during acute psychogeriatric hospitalization. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The data (n = 175) were collected between 2009 and 2013 in naturalistic settings on one acute psychogeriatric ward at one university hospital in Finland. Behavioural symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and activities of daily living using the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL). RESULTS: During the hospital stay (45 days ±30.4) NPI total score decreased from 33.9 to 18.2 (p < .001). Daily functioning score decreased from 31.7 to 20.9 (p < .001). The number of patients taking antipsychotics (96-130, p = .004) and anxiolytics (54-102, p < .001) increased from admission to discharge. Overall mean dosage (mg/day) of antipsychotics (from 40.2 to 72.0 in chlorpromazine equivalents, p < .00) and anxiolytics (from 3.43 to 7.47 in diazepam equivalents, p < .001) also increased. Higher antipsychotic dosage at discharge was a significant predictor for large NPI score change (p = .002) indicating better symptom reduction. Neither higher antipsychotic dosage or anxiolytic dosage at discharge were significant predictors for ADL score change. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychiatric symptoms improved while deterioration was found in daily functioning from admission to discharge. Higher antipsychotic dosage at discharge was a predictor for larger NPI score change indicating better symptom reduction. Preventing threatening ADL decline during hospital stay is especially important.

Attitudes of mental health professionals towards service user involvement.

Patient-centred care and user involvement in healthcare services are much emphasised globally. This study was the first step in a multicentre research project in Finland to improve service users' and carers' opportunities to be more involved in mental health services. The aim of the study was to assess attitudes of professionals towards service user involvement. The data were collected via an online questionnaire from 1069 mental health professionals in four hospital districts. Altogether, 351 professionals responded. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods. According to the results, attitudes of healthcare professionals were more positive towards service users' involvement in their own treatment than in other levels of services. There were also differences in gender, age groups, working places and experiences in the attitudes of professionals concerning service users' involvement in their own treatment. These should be taken into account in the future when planning education for mental health professionals. In spite of governmental guidance on service user involvement and the growing body of knowledge of the benefits associated with it, change in attitudes towards user involvement is slow. Special attention should be paid to the attitudes of professionals working in inpatient care and of those with less working experience.

Service users' views regarding user involvement in mental health services: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Service user involvement is emphasised in many strategies, plans and declarations globally. However, in practice, service user involvement is not always achieved and remains at a tokenistic level. OBJECTIVES: To explore the views of service users on user involvement in mental health service. DESIGN: Explorative descriptive study design. SETTING: The study was conducted in one psychiatric hospital and in two mental health organisations in western Finland. METHODS: The data was generated through three focus group interviews and analysed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: User involvement means that people using mental health services are respected, listened to and can act in co-operation with professionals so than they feel that they can influence their own care and treatment. The participants articulated concrete factors that promote or inhibit user involvement. Service user involvement can be enhanced by strengthening service users´ position, by developing the mental health care system and by specific training for professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The views of service users in this study concerning the realisation of user involvement and the factors promoting and preventing it were realistic. They are basic elements of patient-centred care and of all human interaction. Our participants described service user involvement in their own care and treatment. They emphasised the need to have more information, and wanted to be more involved in decision-making about their own care and treatment. They called for better care planning and co-ordination as one way to increase service user involvement. These also have implications for mental health services at the system level.

Improving Medication Safety Based on Reports in Computerized Patient Safety Systems.

In recent years, patient safety has been a serious concern internationally. Medication in particular is a significant area in improving patient safety because medication errors are a crucial clinical problem. This study aimed to explore suggestions to improve medication safety reported via computerized patient safety systems in hospitals. The research data were retrospectively collected from the computerized patient safety incident reporting systems in one university hospital and two regional hospitals in Finland. Open-ended records concerning prescribing medicines (n = 136), dispensing medicines (n = 362), administering medicines to patients (n = 538), and documenting medication (n = 434) were included in the analysis. The data were analyzed by using inductive content analysis. Based on the study findings, there is a need to develop and standardize procedures related to all four parts of medication management process. Moreover, working environment, multiprofessional collaboration, and knowledge and skills of the professionals should be developed. Promoting medication safety in hospitals is an urgent challenge. The study results indicated that computerized patient safety incident reporting systems can provide important qualitative information to improve medication process to be safer.

Two models of nursing practice: a comparative study of motivational characteristics, work satisfaction and stress.

AIM: To examine the differences in work-related motivational and stress factors between two nursing allocation models (the primary nursing model and the individual patient allocation model). BACKGROUND: A number of nursing allocation models are applied in hospital settings, but little is known about the potential associations between various models and work-related psychosocial profiles in nurses. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using an electronic questionnaire. The data were collected from nurses (n = 643) working in 22 wards. In total, 317 questionnaires were returned (response rate 49.3%). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in motivational characteristics between the different models. The nurses working according to the individual patient allocation model were more satisfied with their supervisors. The work itself and turnover caused more stress to the nurses working in the primary nursing model, whereas patient-related stress was higher in the individual patient allocation model. CONCLUSION: No consistent evidence to support the use of either of these models over the other was found. Both these models have positive and negative features and more comparative research is required on various nursing practice models from different points of view. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing directors and ward managers should be aware of the positive and negative features of the various nursing models.

Acute Psychogeriatric Inpatient Treatment Improves Neuropsychiatric Symptoms but Impairs the Level of Functioning in Patients with Dementia.

AIMS: To explore the impact of hospitalization on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and the level of functioning in patients with dementia. Our aim was also to study the influence of psychotropic medications. METHODS: Behavioral disturbances, cognition and functional status of 89 patients were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Mini-Mental State Examination, Barthel Index, and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCSADL). RESULTS: The total NPI score decreased from 34.6 to 19.5 (p < 0.001), and ADL decreased from 32.2 to 21.7 (p < 0.001) during the hospital stay (mean of 44 days). For a change in ADL, only the effect of anxiolytics was significant (p = 0.045). For a change in NPI with antipsychotic and anxiolytic doses and Mini-Mental State Examination as covariates, no significant relationship was found. CONCLUSION: NPS improved significantly during hospitalization, but neither antipsychotic nor anxiolytic medication use explained this improvement. In patients using anxiolytics, the functional decline was substantial. These results do not support anxiolytic use in demented patients with NPS.

eLearning course may shorten the duration of mechanical restraint among psychiatric inpatients: a cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The management of psychiatric inpatients exhibiting severely disturbed and aggressive behaviour is an important educational topic. Well structured, IT-based educational programmes (eLearning) often ensure quality and may make training more affordable and accessible. AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of an eLearning course for personnel on the rates and duration of seclusion and mechanical restraint among psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: In a cluster-randomized intervention trial, the nursing personnel on 10 wards were randomly assigned to eLearning (intervention) or training-as-usual (control) groups. The eLearning course comprised six modules with specific topics (legal and ethical issues, behaviour-related factors, therapeutic relationship and self-awareness, teamwork and integrating knowledge with practice) and specific learning methods. The rates (incidents per 1000 occupied bed days) and durations of the coercion incidents were examined before and after the course. RESULTS: A total of 1283 coercion incidents (1143 seclusions [89%] and 140 incidents involving the use of mechanical restraints [11%]) were recorded on the study wards during the data collection period. On the intervention wards, there were no statistically significant changes in the rates of seclusion and mechanical restraint. However, the duration of incidents involving mechanical restraints shortened from 36.0 to 4.0 h (median) (P < 0.001). No statistically significant changes occurred on the control wards. CONCLUSIONS: After our eLearning course, the duration of incidents involving the use of mechanical restraints decreased. However, more studies are needed to ensure that the content of the course focuses on the most important factors associated with the seclusion-related elements. The eLearning course deserves further development and further studies. The duration of coercion incidents merits attention in future research.

Patient education methods to support quality of life and functional ability among patients with schizophrenia: a randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of patient education methods on quality of life and functional impairment of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A multicentre, randomized controlled trial was carried out in two psychiatric hospitals in Finland from March 2005 to October 2007. A total of 311 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder or delusional disorder were randomly allocated to computer-based patient education (n = 100), conventional education with standard leaflets (n = 106) and standard treatment (n = 105). Participants were followed up 12 months later. Primary outcome was quality of life (Q-LES-Q-SF) and secondary outcome was functional disability (SDS). Analysis was performed by intention-to-treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN74919979. RESULTS: Patients' global quality of life improved and functional disability decreased significantly in all education groups over the follow-up time. There were no significant differences between groups in these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In light of the findings there is no evidence to support a particular education method as the best way to improve patients' quality of life or improve functional ability. On the other hand, no intervention was found to be harmful. Thus computer-based patient education may be a suitable alternative for some patients. While information technology will be more widely used in societies, computer-based intervention may be beneficial for some patients with serious mental disorders.

Assessing quality of life in patients with schizophrenia in an acute psychiatric setting: reliability, validity and feasibility of the EQ-5D and the Q-LES-Q.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) is considered an important outcome of treatment in psychiatry. Two QoL instruments, the EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), have been increasingly used among patients with schizophrenia. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability, validity and feasibility of the EQ-5D and the Q-LES-Q among patients with schizophrenia and related disorders (n = 311) in the most acute stage of their illness. METHODS: The study was carried out in nine acute psychiatric wards of two psychiatric hospitals in Finland. The instruments' internal consistency, construct validity and missing values were evaluated. RESULTS: Our findings show high internal consistency for the Q-LES-Q (Cronbach's alpha 0,89). For the EQ-5D, the Cronbach's alpha value was minimally acceptable (0.63) taking in to consideration the low number of items. Lower overall functioning indicated poorer QoL measured by the EQ-5D (U = 3098, P < 0.001) or the Q-LES-Q (U = 3357, P < 0.001). Missing values in the EQ-5D ranged from 6% to 7% and in the Q-LES-Q from 6% to 31%. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that both QoL scales are reasonably reliable, valid and feasible in this patient group. The decision regarding which instrument to use would depend on clinical or research questions. When more detailed information for patients' satisfaction with QoL is needed then the Q-LES-Q would be a better choice, whereas if the primary interest is to briefly assess patients' QoL problems related to health status the EQ-5D would be a better choice.

Professionals' views on patient involvement in acute psychiatric wards: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To examine multiprofessionals' views on patient involvement in acute psychiatric wards. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was conducted in four hospital districts in Finland. The data were collected between December 2016 and March 2017 by means of four focus group interviews and analyzed with inductive content analysis. FINDINGS: The five main themes emerged: Patient-, carer-, professional-, hospital-, and healthcare system-related factors enhancing or preventing patient involvement in acute psychiatric wards. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings confirm that many obstacles need to be removed in ward practice before patient involvement can really be made a part of the daily routine.

Effects of the implementation of the web-based patient support system on staff's attitudes towards computers and IT use: a randomised controlled trial.

Utilisation of information technology (IT) in the treatment of people with severe mental health problems is an unknown area in Europe. Use of IT and guiding patients to relevant sources of health information requires that nursing staff have positive attitudes toward computers and accept IT use as a part of daily practises. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the implementation of a web-based patient support system on staff's attitudes towards computers and IT use on psychiatric wards. Hundred and forty-nine nurses in two psychiatric hospitals in Finland were randomised to two groups to deliver patient education for patients with schizophrenia and psychosis with a web-based system (n = 76) or leaflets (n = 73). After baseline nurses were followed-up for 18 months after the introduction of the system. The primary outcome was nurses' motivation to utilise computers, and the secondary outcomes were nurses' beliefs in and satisfaction with computers, and use of computer and internet. There were no statistically significant differences between study groups in attitudes towards computers (motivation p = 0.936, beliefs p = 0.270, satisfaction p = 0.462) and internet use (p = 0.276). However, nurses' general computer use (p = 0.029) increased more in the leaflet group than in the IT intervention group. We can conclude that IT has promise as an alternative method in patient education, as the implementation of the web-based patient support system in daily basis did not have a negative effect on nurses' attitudes towards IT.

The effectiveness of technology-based patient education on self-reported deprivation of liberty among people with severe mental illness: a randomized controlled trial.

Deprivation of liberty (DL) in psychiatric inpatient care is common worldwide. As liberty is a central element of patients' rights, there is a need to develop most effective methods supporting patients' personal liberty. The article presents initial results from a study to determine the effectiveness of an information technology (IT)-based patient education programme on patients' experiences of being deprived of their liberty during their in-hospital stay. An overall sample of 311 patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis was randomized into three groups: an intervention group with needs-based computerized patient education, a patient education group with conventional education and a control group with standard care. Data on the general experience of DL were collected at baseline and during the patient discharge process. In general, all patients experienced less DL at the time of their discharge. The change in patients' experiences of their DL did not differ statistically between the three groups. Male patients in the standard care group were significantly more likely to drop out of the study than female patients. Although technology-based patient education was not found to be superior to other approaches, we did not find any reason to inhibit its utilization in patient care among persons with severe mental health problems. From the healthcare organizations' perspective, a cost-effectiveness analysis is needed, as the IT education was slightly more time-consuming.

Patients' descriptions of nursing interventions supporting quality of life in acute psychiatric wards: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: People with mental disorders suffer from impaired quality of life (QoL). In psychiatric hospital wards nurses are in a close relationship with patients and have good opportunities to support patients' QoL. Still, relatively little is known about patients' perceptions related to nursing interventions by which nurses can support the QoL of patients with severe mental illness. OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' perceptions of nursing interventions in supporting patients' QoL in acute psychiatric inpatient settings. DESIGN: Explorative descriptive study design. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in seven acute 24-h psychiatric wards of general hospitals in Southern Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder or delusional disorder. METHODS: The data were generated through semi-structured interviews and processed by means of qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Five main categories of patients' perceptions of nursing interventions were identified to support QoL from patients' descriptions: empowering interventions, social interventions, activating interventions, security interventions and interventions to support physical health. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired QoL of patients with severe mental illness can be supported in acute psychiatric wards through nursing interventions. However, we are not sure how effective these interventions are. Thus, research on the effectiveness of nursing interventions to support patients' QoL is needed.

Connectivity to computers and the Internet among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Information and communication technologies have been developed for a variety of health care applications and user groups in the field of health care. This study examined the connectivity to computers and the Internet among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to study 311 adults with SSDs from the inpatient units of two psychiatric hospitals in Finland. The data collection lasted for 20 months and was done through patients' medical records and a self-reported, structured questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics. RESULTS: In total, 297 patients were included in this study (response rate =96%). More than half of them (n=156; 55%) had a computer and less than half of them (n=127; 44%) had the Internet at home. Of those who generally had access to computers and the Internet, more than one-fourth (n=85; 29%) used computers daily, and >30% (n=96; 33%) never accessed the Internet. In total, approximately one-fourth of them (n=134; 25%) learned to use computers, and less than one-third of them (n=143; 31%) were known to use the Internet by themselves. Older people (aged 45-65 years) and those with less years of education (primary school) tended not to use the computers and the Internet at all (P<0.001), and younger people and those with higher education were associated with more active use. CONCLUSION: Patients had quite good access to use computers and the Internet, and they mainly used the Internet to seek information. Social, occupational, and psychological functioning (which were evaluated with Global Assessment of Functioning) were not associated with access to and frequency of computer and the Internet use. The results support the use of computers and the Internet as part of clinical work in mental health care.

Enhancing nurses' participation in implementing evidence-based practice.

The article gives an overview of a multidimensional project to enhance nurses' participation in implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) in one university hospital in Finland. The project provided an opportunity for many nurses to be an active part of the EBP process. Moreover, it provided an interesting opportunity to increase all nurses' awareness of EBP.

Internet delivered question and answer column for patients with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of an Internet delivered question and answer column among patients with schizophrenia. The column was developed for research purposes. The study sample consisted of patients (N = 100) admitted to acute inpatient psychiatric care in two hospital districts. Descriptive data were collected from the column to which a nurse replied within 3 days and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The column had four to five questions weekly. The most common age of users was 18-24 years, and the gender distribution was almost equal. Column use was heaviest among students (44%) and least among unemployed people (19%). Out of 85 questions or comments sent to the column, 25 (29%) were related to program training and the remaining 60 (71%) were related to medication (31%), illness and tests (25%), other questions or comments (9%), daily life and coping with it (4%), and places to receive treatment (2%). An Internet delivered question and answer column can be included in the care of patients with schizophrenia. However, it requires a new type of basic and additional education in the field of mental health care in order for nurses to be able to provide nursing via the Internet forum.

Knowledge transfer from an e-learning course to clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Continuing education is essential in improving practical psychiatric nursing skills. However, little is known about how knowledge gained in continuing education is transferred to nurses' daily work. OBJECTIVES: To describe the transfer of knowledge gained from an e-learning course to daily practice. DESIGN: Qualitative study design. SETTINGS: One hospital district in Southern Finland with three specialized psychiatric wards (acute, rehabilitation, geriatric wards). PARTICIPANTS: Nursing staff (N=53) were recruited and 35 participated voluntarily in the e-learning continuing education course in spring 2009. METHODS: The data comprised nurses' reflective writing during the e-learning course and course evaluation forms completed after the course. We used qualitative design with inductive content analysis to analyze nurses' writings. RESULTS: The nurses were willing and able to transfer what they learned to their daily practice including the course themes, communication and co-operation among staff members, understanding of preventive and alternative treatment methods and critical thinking regarding one's own work. After the e-learning course the nurses were able to identify development areas such as issues related to staff members' daily work, the patient's role on the ward, alternative methods to avoid coercion, issues pertaining to the care environment on the ward, psychiatric nurses' education, and making an action plan for aggressive situations. All nurses would recommend the course to other nurses. CONCLUSIONS: New knowledge is easily adopted and transferred to daily practice.

Occupational stress and implementation of information technology among nurses working on acute psychiatric wards.

PURPOSE: The study describes nurses' occupational stress and implementation of information technology on acute psychiatric wards. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 146 Finnish nurses. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire in 2006. FINDINGS: Eleven percent of the nurses felt that work was very mentally strenuous and 45% felt that it was rather mentally strenuous. Male nurses reported more stress and dissatisfaction than female nurses. Nurses with very positive attitudes towards Internet use reported less stress and more job satisfaction than nurses with neutral attitudes towards Internet use. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: By supporting positive attitudes to information technology in nurses' daily work, we may increase their job satisfaction and thereby reduce their stress experiences.