"Can mental health nurses working in acute mental health units really be trauma-informed?" An integrative review of the literature.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach that mental health inpatient units are increasingly adopting, with mental health nurses (MHNs) being the largest occupational group working this area. To critically examine the literature on TIC in mental health inpatient units from a MHN perspective. Primary studies examining TIC in mental health inpatient units from a MHN perspective were examined in CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO database including the reference lists of primary sources. A total of n=10 studies met the inclusion criteria with four themes identified. There is a paucity of quality research available on TIC to guide MHNs employed in mental health inpatient units. The review has highlighted that MHN practice is influenced by the medical model ideology and competing organizational demands that can at least partially negate the effective provision of TIC. For purposeful application of TIC, the parallel and often unconscious organizational processes that exist for MHNs working in mental health units must too be examined. The review invites an opportunity for important reflections by MHNs employed in mental health units. TIC may help restore MHN practice to the interpersonal tenants the profession is best distinguished by.