Forensic nursing is a term applied to nurses working in many different areas of clinical practice, such as high security hospitals, medium secure units, low secure units, acute…
Abstract
Forensic nursing is a term applied to nurses working in many different areas of clinical practice, such as high security hospitals, medium secure units, low secure units, acute mental health wards, specialised private hospitals, psychiatric intensive care units, court liaison schemes, and outpatient, community and rehabilitation services. Rarely is the term defined in the general literature and as a concept it is multifaceted. Concept analysis is a method for exploring and evaluating the meaning of words. It gives precise definitions, both theoretical and operational, for use in theory, clinical practice and research. A concept analysis provides a logical basis for defining terms and helps us to refine and define a concept that derives from practice, research and theory. This paper uses the strategy of concept analysis to explore the term ‘forensic nursing’ and finds a working definition of forensic mental health nursing. The historical background and literature are reviewed using concept analysis to bring the term into focus and to define it more clearly. Forensic nursing is found to derive from forensic practice. A proposed definition of forensic nursing is given.
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Alyson Kettles and Helen Walker
The nature and problems of forensic nursing research are presented and discussed. The background to and current state of forensic nursing research are described. Some differences…
Abstract
The nature and problems of forensic nursing research are presented and discussed. The background to and current state of forensic nursing research are described. Some differences between the nature of forensic psychiatric, psychological and forensic nursing research are identified. Forensic psychiatric research deals primarily with drug treatments and psychological research deals with specific therapies often referred to as ‘talking therapies’, whereas forensic psychiatric nursing research deals with care of the patient and all that entails, such as physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social care. Issues identified include the power gradient and forensic nurses' position on that gradient, the application of Lee's typology of research as threat and Mason's (2003) discussion of the typology in the forensic context. The article concludes with some discussion of the strategic direction required for further development.
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Jean Adams, Sandra Steele, Alyson Kettles, Helen Walker, Ian Brown, Mick Collins, Susan Sookoo and Phil Woods
The aim of the paper is to share the experience of multi‐national, funded research practice and to explore some of the issues related to conducting such studies in forensic…
Abstract
The aim of the paper is to share the experience of multi‐national, funded research practice and to explore some of the issues related to conducting such studies in forensic practice. The BEST Index is a normative forensic risk assessment instrument that can be implemented through the different levels of security. It benefits the patient as it is a structured assessment instrument for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care in the context of risk assessment. A large‐scale, five‐country EU‐funded study was conducted to validate the instrument and to develop educational tools. Some published description of research experience exists but does not cover the issues for people new to high‐level research studies or the partnership working that is required to make multi‐national, multi‐lingual studies work to the benefit of the patient. Many issues arose during the study and those considered important to deal with, and the actions taken, are described, including ethical issues, management and organisational issues, and ‘the long haul’. Being new to research and coming straight in to this kind of large‐scale clinical research requires preparation and thought.
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Alyson Kettles, David Robinson and Ellenor Moody
The level of service provision for people suffering from a mental disorder is an area of debate that has always presented clinicians with numerous difficult decisions. The…
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The level of service provision for people suffering from a mental disorder is an area of debate that has always presented clinicians with numerous difficult decisions. The decision‐making process is perhaps at its most contentious with reference to the type and degree of risk individuals may present, either to themselves or to the general public.
Alyson Kettles and Lesley Adams
Travel bursaries enable staff to visit centres of excellence in order to study practice that is different or innovative. This study tour enabled visitors to study the practice in…
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Travel bursaries enable staff to visit centres of excellence in order to study practice that is different or innovative. This study tour enabled visitors to study the practice in Provincial Forensic Assessment Units, Remand Centres and Prisons, in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.
Alyson Kettles, Cindy Peternelj‐Taylor, Phil Woods, Anita Hufft, Tom Van Erven, Hans Martin, Uwe Donisch‐Siedel, Alison Kuppen, Colin Holmes, Roger Almvik, Trond Hatling and David Robinson
Over the last decade there has been considerable growth in the role that psychiatric nurses play in providing care for the mentally disordered offender (MDO). Yet there has been…
Abstract
Over the last decade there has been considerable growth in the role that psychiatric nurses play in providing care for the mentally disordered offender (MDO). Yet there has been little written about this specialty from a global perspective. Examination of the literature illustrates a large body of research and development programmes reporting the development of services to the MDO, for example, self‐harm and clinical risk assessment. Such service development is growing at a rapid pace, yet training and education to meet the needs of this patient group is something that is added onto post registration courses. Furthermore, the lack of vision and career pathways into forensic care is stifling a growing profession, which is subject to continual permanent change and investigation. Leaders and professional associations have contributed little to this unique nursing group which plays a major role in the multidisciplinary care of a very demanding set of patient needs.