An exploration of the perceptions of nurses in caring for psychiatric patients in a rural district hospital in Northern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Caring for psychiatric patients in the medical wards of rural district hospitals is of concern, as the hospitals are not designed to make provision for these patients. Psychiatric patients, especially those diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorders may exhibit disruptive and aggressive behaviour which may be overwhelming to other patients who are not suffering from mental illness. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of the nurses caring for psychiatric patients in a rural district hospital, in order to gain a deeper understanding of their concerns and their experiences.