Barriers Experienced by Nurses Working in Psychiatric Wards in Caring for Patients with Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: Delivering high-quality care to hospitalized patients with mental disorders is crucial; however, numerous barriers hinder the achievement of this goal. This study aimed to identify the obstacles faced by nurses working in psychiatric wards in providing care for inpatients with mental disorders.

Methods: A qualitative research design was employed using the conventional content analysis approach. The participants consisted of 20 psychiatric nurses, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through 20 individual semi-structured interviews, each lasting an average of 45 minutes. The collected data were analyzed through conventional content analysis using MAXQDA software (Version 10).

Results: The results revealed two major categories of barriers encountered by psychiatric nurses. Individual, Social, and Professional Factors, which encompassed four subcategories: inappropriate perceptions and actions of nurses, misconceptions within families and society regarding psychiatric care, unnecessary workload, and mental fatigue.

Organizational and Managerial Factors, comprising six subcategories: insufficient quantity and quality of nursing staff, misunderstanding of psychiatric care by managers, lack of organizational support, absence of effective guidelines, an unfavorable physical environment, and inadequate healthcare and recreational facilities.

Discussion: The findings provide valuable insights for healthcare policymakers and nursing professionals, enabling them to address these obstacles and enhance the quality of psychiatric nursing care.