Attitudes regarding mental health nurse prescribing among psychiatrists and nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire study

Patel, M. X.; Ramirez, N. M.; Memon, T. C.; Robson, D.; Rance, J.; Gray, Richard; Bressington, D.

Abstract

Background: In the United Kingdom, mental health nurses (MHNs) can independently prescribe medication once they have completed a training course. This study investigated attitudes to mental health nurse prescribing held by psychiatrists and nurses. Method: 119 MHNs and 82 psychiatrists working in South-East England were randomly sampled. Participants completed a newly created questionnaire. This included individual item statements with 6-point likert scales to test levels of agreement which were summated into 7 subscales. Results: Psychiatrists had significantly less favourable, albeit generally positive attitudes than MHNs regarding general beliefs (63% vs. 70%, p < 0.001), impact (62% vs. 70%, p < 0.001), uses (60% vs. 71%, p < 0.001), clinical responsibility (69% vs. 62%, p < 0.001) and legal responsibility (71% vs. 64%, p < 0.001). More MHNs than psychiatrists believed that nurse prescribing would be useful in emergency situations for rapid tranquilisation (82% vs. 37%, p < 0.001), and that the consultant psychiatrist should have ultimate clinical responsibility for prescribing by an MHN (42% vs. 28%, p < 0.001). Approximately half of all participants agreed nurse prescribing would create conflict in clinical teams. Conclusions: The majority of both groups were in favour of mental health nurse prescribing, although significantly more psychiatrists expressed concerns. This may be explained by a perceived change in power balance. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Memon, T. C., Ramirez, N. M., Patel, M. X., Robson, D., Rance, J., Bressington, D., & Gray, R. (2009). Attitudes regarding mental health nurse prescribing among psychiatrists and nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 46(11), 1467-1474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.04.010

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2009
• Journal: International Journal of Nursing Studies
• Print ISSN: 0020-7489
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1467-1474
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.04.010
• Keywords: attitude, clinical responsibility, health personnel, knowledge, medical education, prescribing, psychotropic education
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1004939
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.04.010