preprints.org > public health and healthcare > nursing > doi: 10.20944/preprints202305.1779.v1

Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 23 May 2023 / Approved: 25 May 2023 / Online: 25 May 2023 (08:57:08 CEST)

Mental Health Care Users (MHCUs) are admitted in general wards with medical and surgical conditions where non-psychiatric nurses are allocated to render services for medical and surgical conditions. Non-psychiatric nurses are expected to care for MHCUs in general wards regardless of their knowledge and skills which is against the Mental Health Care Act. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of non-psychiatric nurses in car-ing for MHCUs admitted in general wards in Limpopo Province. Qualitative approach using explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was adopted for the study. Methodology included the setting, population, sampling, ethical con-siderations, and the measures to ensure trustworthiness. The study was conducted in four general hospitals of Limpopo Province, South Africa with mental health care wards, medical ward and surgical ward which were selected through simple random sampling. Semi structured Individual interviews were used to collect data from twenty professional nurses until data saturation. Data was analysed using Tesch’ s method. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. Themes that emerged after data analysis were: Managing MHCUs, Types of patient’s behaviour. The study concluded that professional nurses without psychiatry caring for MHCUs in general wards need training to provide holistic care.

General hospital; General ward; Mental health care user; Non-psychiatric nurse

Public Health and Healthcare, Nursing

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