Spirituality in bedlam: Exploring patient conversations on acute psychiatric units

Abstract

Background.

Spirituality is a complex yet vital aspect of care on acute psychiatric units. Occupational therapists play a role in engaging their clients regarding spirituality as a resource for recovery.

Purpose.

This manuscript reports on Part 1 of a research study that explored the experience of spiritual conversations for patients (Part 1) and mental health professionals (Part 2) on acute psychiatric units.

Method.

Community-based participatory research framed the project philosophically and relationally, and interpretive description defined the data collection, data analysis, and dissemination methods.

Findings.

Seven inpatients on acute psychiatric units participated in interviews or focus groups. Authentic spiritual conversation that was not associated with mental illness symptoms proved difficult to initiate on inpatient psychiatric units. Participants desired direct questioning and the provision of optional spiritual resources.

Implications.

Therapists can make a range of spirituality educational resources available for clients. They can also advocate for clients’ spiritual needs in the acute context.

Description.

La spiritualité est un aspect complexe et pourtant essentiel des soins dans les unités de soins intensifs psychiatriques. Les ergothérapeutes jouent un rôle en incitant leurs clients à envisager la spiritualité comme une ressource pour leur rétablissement.

But.

Cet article présente la Partie 1 d’une étude qui se penchait sur l’expérience vécue par des patients (Partie 1) et des professionnels de la santé (Partie 2) face à des conversations spirituelles dans des unités de soins intensifs psychiatriques.

Méthodologie.

La recherche participative à base communautaire a procuré un cadre philosophique au projet et une description relationnelle et interprétative a défini la collecte et l’analyse des données et les méthodes de dissémination.

Résultats.

Sept patients hospitalisés dans des unités de soins intensifs psychiatriques ont participé à des entrevues ou à des groupes de discussion. Il a été difficile d’initier une conversation spirituelle authentique qui n’était pas associée à des symptômes de maladie mentale. Les participants désiraient être questionnés directement et avoir accès à des ressources spirituelles optionnelles.

Conséquences.

Les ergothérapeutes peuvent rendre un large éventail de ressources éducatives sur la spiritualité disponibles pour les clients. Ils peuvent aussi faire valoir les besoins des clients en matière de spiritualité dans un contexte de soins intensifs.

Keywords

Acute psychiatry Community-based participatory research Occupational therapy Qualitative research Spirituality ergothérapie recherche participative à base communautaire recherche qualitative soins intensifs psychiatriques spiritualité

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