Integrating an Evidenced-Based Research Intervention in the Discharge of Mental Health Clients

Authors

Mary-Lou Martin, University of Western Ontario
Elsabeth Jensen, University of Western Ontario
Robin Coatsworth-Puspoky, University of Western OntarioFollow
Cheryl Forchuk, University of Western OntarioFollow
Tanya Lysiak-Globe, University of Western Ontario
Georgiana Beal, University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2007

Journal

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

Volume

21

Issue

2

First Page

101

Last Page

111

Abstract

The purpose of this Canadian qualitative study was to explore the experiences of clinical staff who implemented a research intervention: the Transitional Discharge Model (TDM). The TDM provided mental health clients who were hospitalized with peer support and an inpatient staff member to bridge the therapeutic transitioning from hospital staff to the community care provider. Staff from three tertiary care mental health facilities in Canada identified their learning needs in regard to providing the intervention. An educational program was developed and delivered to the clinical staff to support and facilitate the implementation of the new TDM. The extent of the utilization of knowledge and implementation of the TDM varied across the three tertiary care mental health facilities. Focus groups (N=49) with clinical staff were conducted to explore various factors related to the training process as well as the challenges and benefits of implementing the TDM. Data were analyzed using Leininger's Phases of Ethnonursing Qualitative Data Analysis [Leininger, M. (2002). The theory of culture care and the ethnonursing research method. In M. Leininger & M. McFarland (eds.), Transcultural nursing: Concepts, theories, research, and practice (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill]. Findings revealed that clinical staff experienced challenges in roles and responsibilities, relationships with others, values and beliefs of clients, staff and community, resources, and the processes of care. From the findings, strategies were identified to support the integration of knowledge about the TDM into practice and to increase clinical staff's skills in implementing research interventions. These included support from others, as well as support of practice, policy, and education.

Notes

Published in: Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, Volume 21, Issue 2, April 2007, Pages 101-111. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2006.11.004