NURSING TEAM PERCEPTIONS AND REACTIONS TO EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES OF PATIENTS IN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

This study was developed to know how nursing team members perceive and react to emotional disturbances of patients in a general hospital. The emotional disturbances are frequently expressed as anxiety, depression, agitation, modification in daily activities, mental disturbances, and alteration of verbal expression. Nursing personal demonstrated capability to perceive emotional disturbances but showed inadequate reactions to them. A continuing education program is needed to develop nursing team in assisting these patients. The authors present a sugestion of a program.

Keywords

• Nursing care
• Mental health
• Affective symptoms