Capturing the Interpersonal Process of Psychiatric Nurses: A Model for Engagement

Area of Science:

• Psychiatric Nursing
• Mental Health Care
• Patient Engagement Strategies

Background:

• Staff engagement is crucial for safety and patient experience in psychiatric care.
• Concerns exist regarding the time and quality of nurse-patient interactions.
• Existing models lack comprehensive skill-building for engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel model for staff-patient engagement in inpatient psychiatric settings.
• To clarify necessary skills for effective patient engagement.
• To support nurses in optimizing their role for patient mental health development.

Main Methods:

• The model is grounded in Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations.
• It integrates patients' perspectives on healing during hospitalization.
• It incorporates research on therapeutic relationships in inpatient settings.

Main Results:

• The model operationalizes the inpatient nurse's role in fostering engagement.
• It provides a framework for developing essential interpersonal skills.
• It aims to enhance the quality of nurse-patient interactions.

Conclusions:

• The developed model offers a structured approach to improving staff-patient engagement.
• It serves as a foundation for a web-based teaching/learning course.
• Implementing this model can positively impact patient mental health and well-being.