Assessment of inpatient treatment of mentally ill patients in Thailand: Implications for practice
Robert Anders
Associate Dean; Professor; Director of School of Nursing, University of Texas at El Paso, United States of America
Darawan Thapinta
Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Srinuan Wiwatkunupakan
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Voranut Kitsumban
Instructor, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Siriluck Vadtanapong
Instructor, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
PP: 322 - 332
Abstract
Given the demand for services, psychiatric facilities in Thailand, strive to provide quality care despite limited resources. Patient quality of care initiatives are limited. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the quality of inpatient treatment among a group of acutely mentally ill hospitalized Thai patients. This study presents important data on the standards of care provided to mentally ill patients at one inpatient facility in Thailand.
This study is one of the first to look at the inpatient care for Thais with a diagnosis of an acute mental illness. Areas for improvement identified in this research include master treatment planning and documentation of care, patient teaching, and management of aggressive behavior. This study provides an insight into the patient profile and major nursing problems facing Thai nurses. The article also highlights areas of concern such as the high use of ECT and mechanical restraint.
How pervasive these deficiencies are in other settings is not known. The findings in this study were shared with the professional staff. It is hope that the nursing staff armed with the results of this study will develop performance improvement activities to improve the quality of care.
Keywords
mental health; inpatient treatment; nursing care; resources; methods; quality care; standard of care; ECT; mechanical constraint; Thailand
References
American Psychiatric Association (1997). Practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry. 154(4Suppl):1-63.
Anders, R. (2000). Assessment of inpatient treatment of persons with schizophrenia: implications for practice. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 14(5): 213-221.
Anders, R., Kawano, M., Mori, C., Kokusho, H. (2001) Assessment of inpatient treatment of schizophrenic patients in Japan: implications for practice. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 15(6):265-271.
Anderson, G. F., Alsnso, J, & Black, C. (1994). Analyzing health outcomes through international comparisons. Medical Care, 32(5), 526-534.
Baradell, J. (1995). Clinical outcomes and satisfaction of patients of clinical nurse specialists in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 9(5):240-50.
Dixon, L., & Lehman, A . (1996). Family interventions for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 21(4):631-643.
Dixon, L., Leiman , A., & Levine, J. (1996). Conventional antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 21(4):567-577.
Johns, C. & Thompson, J. (1996). Adjunctive treatments in schizophrenia: pharmacotherapies and electroconvulsive therapy. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 21(4):607-619.
Lehman, A. F. & Steinwachs, D.M. (1998). Patterns of usual care for schizophrenia: Initial results from the schizophrenia patient outcomes research team (PORT) client survey. Schizophrenia Bulletin 24(1):11-20.
Lynn, M. R. (1986). Determination and quantification of content validity. Nursing Research, 35(6), 382-386.
McGlynn, E. (1997). Assessment of In-Patient Care for Schizophrenia Patients. RAND Corporation; Santa Monica, CA. .
Nalinee, P. (1997). Effect of Group Nursing Care in Promoting and Supporting Self-care of Schizophrenic Inpatient. Unpublished master's thesis, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Pornthip, T. (1998). Effect of Symbolic Modeling on Self-Care Knowledge of Schizophrenia Patients. Unpublished master's thesis, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Prayong, K. (1997). Effect of Social Skill Training Group on Self-Esteem of Person with Schizophrenia and Alcoholism. Unpublished master's thesis, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Ratree, I. (1998). Nurses' and Person with Schizophrenia Perceptions About Medication Noncompliance. Unpublished master's thesis, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Salant, P. and Dillman, D. (1994). How to Conduct Your Own Survey. John Wiley and Sons: New York, New York.
Scott, J. & Dixon, L. (1996). Psychological interventions for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 21(4):621-630.
Tharyan, P. & Adams, C. (2002). Electroconvulsive therapy in schizophrenia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Issue 2.
eContent Home
