Experiences of a Specialized Task Group Intervening in High-Risk Situations Within Forensic Psychiatric Care

Individuals who suffer from severe mental disorders and have committed crimes are cared for in forensic psychiatric care, which at times, can entail high-risk and critical situations. One clinic in Sweden has established a specialized task group that is deployed during high-risk events. The aim of the study was to describe the experiences of a specialized task group intervening in high-risk situations within forensic psychiatric care. Two focus group interviews were conducted with a total of eleven members of this task group. The data were analyzed using a content analysis. The analysis resulted in three main categories: Reflective and Professional Care, A Thoughtful and Prepared Intervention, and Working Under Doubt and Uncertainty. The most prominent findings highlight how care relationships are perceived to be affected by interventions in high-risk situations, how participation in the task group influences the professional role, and the challenges that emerge in collaboration with other healthcare staff.