Training of Long-Term Staff Working With Patients That Have Mental Health Issues

Psychiatric hospitals and inpatient units may require staff members spend the majority of their time with patients afflicted with mental health issues. Training for staff who lack a background in mental healthcare can be important for patient care.

Significance

• Health care workers, such as psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, social workers and psychologists have specialized education and training in working with people with mental health issues. However, while other professions such as nurses aides, assistants, geriatric aides, assisting personnel, orderlies and hospital attendants may spend the most time providing hands-on care for people with mental health issues, they may be least trained in working with them.

Function

• Support staff in long-term care may have some specific training. For instance, psychiatric aids and nurses aids may have some training in physiology and medicine, as well as behavioral techniques. According to Margaret D. Cohn and colleagues in the November 1990 issue of the Journal of Gerontol Nursing, knowledge of behavioral health techniques may not be enough for staff working with people with severe mental health issues.

Considerations

• In-service trainings may be a solution to this problem. Supervisors with expertise in working with people with mental illness may be able to offer regular training sessions to help staff gain a greater understanding of ways to work with people with mental health issues.