A description and evaluation of a challenging behaviour workshop

Ensuring good quality staff and patient relationships are key goals of long-stay inpatient services. It is therefore essential that staff have a good understanding of patients' needs and how to work with the challenges that can present in these environments.

We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a workshop to help psychiatric staff with challenging behaviours.

We used a quasi experimental design with assessments carried out at baseline and post intervention. We provided the training to staff on one low secure psychiatric unit and recorded the uptake of outcome assessments and the workshop itself. We assessed staff-patient relationships, burnout and ward atmosphere and staff also completed satisfaction questionnaires.

Sixty-six percent of staff (n = 25) who were eligible to participate in the project completed initial outcome measures, but only 42% (n = 16) attended the workshop and only 34% (n = 13) completed follow-up measures. The workshop had no predicted effects on any of the outcomes assessed, but staff satisfaction with the training was generally positive.

Building up positive relationships with staff, addressing negative expectations and seeking support from all levels of management are essential in terms of reducing barriers to training in psychiatric settings.