Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care

Being healthcare professionals in the complex field of forensic psychiatry care (FPC) seems particularly challenging. Historically, families have almost been invisible in FPC. The aim of this study was to uncover beliefs among healthcare professionals concerning families of patients admitted for FPC...

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Main Authors: Ulrica Hörberg, Eva Benzein, Christen Erlingsson, Susanne Syrén
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Nursing Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/843717
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author Ulrica Hörberg
Eva Benzein
Christen Erlingsson
Susanne Syrén
author_facet Ulrica Hörberg
Eva Benzein
Christen Erlingsson
Susanne Syrén
author_sort Ulrica Hörberg
collection DOAJ
description Being healthcare professionals in the complex field of forensic psychiatry care (FPC) seems particularly challenging. Historically, families have almost been invisible in FPC. The aim of this study was to uncover beliefs among healthcare professionals concerning families of patients admitted for FPC. Using a hermeneutical approach inspired by Gadamer’s philosophy, group interviews with healthcare professionals in four Swedish forensic psychiatric clinics were analyzed. Analysis resulted in seven key beliefs. There were three beliefs about families: family belongingness is a resource for the patient; most families are broken and not possible to trust; and most families get in the way of the patient’s care. Four beliefs concerned encounters with families: it is important to achieve a balance and control over the family; it is essential to set aside one’s own values and morals; family-oriented work is an impossible mission; and family oriented work requires welcoming the families. Despite ethical dilemmas of working with families in FPC, healthcare professionals showed a willingness and desire to work in a more family-oriented manner. More knowledge, understanding, and caring tools are needed in order to meet the needs of the family as well as support the family’s resources.
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spelling doaj-art-da64179197974826ac3e7e78528f96132025-02-03T06:07:08ZengWileyNursing Research and Practice2090-14292090-14372015-01-01201510.1155/2015/843717843717Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric CareUlrica Hörberg0Eva Benzein1Christen Erlingsson2Susanne Syrén3Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, SwedenDepartment of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Centre for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, SwedenDepartment of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, SwedenDepartment of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 351 95 Växjö, SwedenBeing healthcare professionals in the complex field of forensic psychiatry care (FPC) seems particularly challenging. Historically, families have almost been invisible in FPC. The aim of this study was to uncover beliefs among healthcare professionals concerning families of patients admitted for FPC. Using a hermeneutical approach inspired by Gadamer’s philosophy, group interviews with healthcare professionals in four Swedish forensic psychiatric clinics were analyzed. Analysis resulted in seven key beliefs. There were three beliefs about families: family belongingness is a resource for the patient; most families are broken and not possible to trust; and most families get in the way of the patient’s care. Four beliefs concerned encounters with families: it is important to achieve a balance and control over the family; it is essential to set aside one’s own values and morals; family-oriented work is an impossible mission; and family oriented work requires welcoming the families. Despite ethical dilemmas of working with families in FPC, healthcare professionals showed a willingness and desire to work in a more family-oriented manner. More knowledge, understanding, and caring tools are needed in order to meet the needs of the family as well as support the family’s resources.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/843717
spellingShingle Ulrica Hörberg
Eva Benzein
Christen Erlingsson
Susanne Syrén
Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care
Nursing Research and Practice
title Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care
title_full Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care
title_fullStr Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care
title_full_unstemmed Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care
title_short Engaging with Families Is a Challenge: Beliefs among Healthcare Professionals in Forensic Psychiatric Care
title_sort engaging with families is a challenge beliefs among healthcare professionals in forensic psychiatric care
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/843717
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AT susannesyren engagingwithfamiliesisachallengebeliefsamonghealthcareprofessionalsinforensicpsychiatriccare