Registered nurses' experiences in managing patients diagnosed with depression in a general medical ward

Abstract

Protecting and restoring mental health is of direct concern to the public and health professionals, especially nurses, who are often patients’ first point of contact with the health system. This study sought a comprehensive understanding of registered nurses’ experiences managing patients diagnosed with depression in a general medical ward. The study followed a qualitative research design. Data were collected using in-depth faceto- face interviews with participants recruited from two general medical wards of a private hospital in Gauteng province. Data were analysed thematically. The findings indicated that detecting depression on admission or during a hospital stay in a general medical ward is problematic for registered nurses. Nurses had little training or experience in psychiatric nursing. Patient acuity tools limited available staff, resulting in poor patient evaluation and care. Nurses found hospital management unsupportive and faced the COVID-19 pandemic as an additional challenge that increased their vulnerability. The nurse-patient relationship was compromised due to social distancing, increased staff shortages, patient mortality and death anxiety, and a lack of protective clothing. Nurses feared contracting the COVID-19 virus from patients admitted with COVID-19. Patients had death concerns and suffered additional burdens due to the social restrictions caused by COVID-19 regulations. The rate of depression has increased worldwide and is expected to continue as natural disasters and health problems increase. To address this mental health crisis, the shortcomings of the mental health system must be addressed.