Sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att uppmärksamma, bedöma och hantera somatiska symtom och problem i det psykiatriska omvårdnadsarbetet
Background:Patients with mental disabilities are more prone to somatic illnesses than the general public. Unhealthier lifestyles and side effects of medication might be causes of conditions that lead to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and premature death. According to the Social Board patients with mental disabilities receive poorer treatment than patients with only somatic diagnosis.Aim:The aim of the study was to describe nurses' experiences to identify, assess and manage somatic symptoms and problems within the psychiatric care.Method:The study is based on interviews with 12 nurses working in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient care. A qualitative content analysis was chosen.Result:The nurses performed nursing through talking, blood sampling and measuring for example blood pressure. They followed up side effects of medication. This was done routinely or on their own initiative in order to identify, assess and manage somatic symptoms and problems. The nurses had the experience that they did not have sufficient knowledge of somatic care. They had wanted more collaboration with colleagues and other care units to increase this. The alliance with the patient was a precondition for aiding patients to make lifestyle changes.Conclusion:There is need for simple routines and strategies to control somatic symptoms and problems. It is of importance for the patients to receive equivalent care and making it easier for the nurses to provide care. Increased collaboration with colleagues and other care units could facilitate this process of care taking.