How to avoid and prevent coercion in nursing homes: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Coercion is extensively used in nursing homes in Western countries, particularly for dementia patients.
• There is a need to understand alternative strategies for managing patient resistance in care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine strategies and alternative interventions used by Norwegian nursing staff to avoid coercion when patients resist care.
• To identify conditions staff consider necessary for successfully avoiding coercion.

Main Methods:

• Interdisciplinary focus group interviews with nursing home staff in Norway.
• Qualitative analysis of staff experiences and perspectives on managing patient resistance.

Main Results:

• Nursing staff dedicate significant time to employing diverse approaches to prevent coercion.
• Common strategies include deflection, persuasion, limiting choices through language, flexibility, and one-to-one care.
• Staff identified that nursing home resources, care organization, and staff competence significantly impact the effectiveness of alternative strategies.

Conclusions:

• Norwegian nursing staff actively strive to avoid coercion through various non-coercive interventions.
• Effective implementation of these strategies is contingent upon adequate resources, supportive organizational structures, and skilled nursing staff.