Experiences of nurses providing care to hospitalized patients with acute mania in Türkiye: A phenomenological study

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine the experiences of nurses who care for hospitalized patients experiencing an acute manic episode. This qualitative study was carried out with 15 nurses working in a psychiatric ward in Türkiye. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth individual interviews and focus-group interviews in which the face-to-face interview technique was used. Two main themes emerged from the analysis of the qualitative data: (1) the difficulties experienced and (2) the most effective elements of care. Under the first main theme, the following sub-themes emerged: difficulties in setting boundaries, safety concerns, difficulties in managing the patient's demands, inability to choose the appropriate word(s), and the “emotional whirlwind” experienced. The second main theme, on the other hand, included the following sub-themes: meeting basic needs, ensuring treatment compliance, encouragement to engage in physical activity, and having a sufficient number of qualified personnel. The study revealed that the nurses had difficulties in caring for their manic patients. On the basis of these results, it is recommended that nurses be given counseling and training on setting boundaries, ensuring safety, managing the patient's demands, coping with their own emotions, and communicating better. In addition, the study identified the importance of nursing interventions to meet patients' basic needs, encourage them to engage in physical activity, and ensure treatment compliance, and the importance of there being an adequate number of qualified personnel. These results may help students and other nurses in terms of assessing and setting priorities in cases needing acute psychiatric care.