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Interventions used by staff nurses to manage "difficult" patients
C A Juliana1, S Orehowsky, P Smith-Regojo
1Department of Nursing, Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, New Jersey, USA.
Holistic Nursing Practice
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Nurses employ various strategies to manage patients labeled as "difficult." Successful interventions focus on understanding patient behaviors and adapting care, while unsuccessful ones often fail to address the root causes.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Patient Care Management
- Healthcare Psychology
Background:
- The concept of
- difficult
- patients presents unique challenges in clinical nursing practice.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for optimal patient outcomes and nurse well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nursing interventions for managing patients perceived as
- difficult.
- To identify characteristics of successful and unsuccessful interventions.
- To explore nurses' reflections on patient labeling and coping mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research methodology.
- Thematic analysis of nurse experiences and reported interventions.
- Exploration of patient behaviors and nurse-patient interactions.
Main Results:
- Key themes identified include the process of labeling patients, specific difficult behaviors, nurses' coping strategies, and the impact of interventions.
- Successful interventions often involved empathetic communication and individualized care plans.
- Unsuccessful interventions were characterized by a lack of patient-centeredness or punitive approaches.
Conclusions:
- Nurses utilize a range of strategies to manage challenging patient behaviors.
- Understanding the nuances of patient behavior and employing adaptive, empathetic interventions are key to successful management.
- Further research into de-escalation techniques and supportive nursing practices is warranted.