Involving Mental Health Consumers in Nursing Handover: A Qualitative Study of Consumer Perspectives

Abstract

A number of benefits have been identified for including consumers in nursing handover, such as improved safety and information exchange. In mental health settings these benefits may translate to improved nurse-consumer engagement and working towards the provision of recovery orientated practice. The process of including the consumer, whilst considered best practice, is not well established in mental health settings. Therefore further understanding, in regards to the consumer perspectives about this practice, is needed to inform its adoption and implementation.

This qualitative descriptive study explores consumers’ perspectives of their possible involvement in the nursing handover process within a mental health inpatient setting. The study took place in two mental health inpatient units in regional New South Wales, Australia. Thirteen semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with consumers, and a conventional content analysis method was used to analyse the data. Findings are presented under two categories: understanding the purpose and process of nursing handover and considering consumer involvement in handover.

Findings provide insight into the views of consumers about being involved in nursing handover and further strengthen the rationale for establishing the process as part of routine practice within acute inpatient mental health units. The study also highlights the need to ensure that all processes within these settings accommodate consumer perspectives and involvement.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the consumers who participated in this study. Thanks also to Mr. David McLeod, the Director of Nursing for Hunter New England Mental Health for partially funding this study. The authors are also grateful to the support and assistance provided by Dr. Michael Olasoji and Professor Vicki Parker in undertaking this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interests.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Director of Nursing - Hunter New England Mental Health.