An exploration of critical care nurses' and doctors' attitudes towards psychiatric patients

The aim of this study was to uncover factors that influenced the attitudes of doctors' and nurses' towards psychiatric patients in the intensive care setting. In-depth interviews were undertaken with experienced intensive care nurses and doctors, which were subsequently analysed via an analytic induction method. The consistent themes that emerged were perceptions about the perceived paradox of treating patients who wish to die, the lack of positive reinforcement gained from caring for psychiatric patients, lack of institutional support, and a belief that present educational preparation is inadequate. The results suggest that perceptions about the purpose of intensive care units, and about the appropriateness of caring for psychiatric patients in this setting may be based on unquestioned assumptions and prejudices that are related to a deficit in knowledge and prevailing social stigma. Recommendations arising from this study are that communication channels between psychiatric units and intensive care units should be developed as a matter of priority. Furthermore, educational programs for intensive care doctors and nurses are required in order to enhance psychiatric patient care.