Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing, Walailak University, Thailand;
2
The Excellent Center of Community Health Promotion, Walailak University, Thailand;
3
Department of Community Nursing, School of Nursing, Walailak University, Thailand;
4
Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
10.30476/ijcbnm.2024.101442.2436
Abstract
Background: Mental illness has been a significant public health challenge in Thailand, where there is a
shortage of specialists. Consequently, community nurses (CNs) who are not specialists have been tasked
with enhancing mental health outcomes in the primary care system of the country. This study aims to
shed light on CNs’ lived experiences of caring for psychiatric patients within the primary care units
(PCUs).
Methods: A phenomenological research approach and in-depth interviews were conducted with nine
CNs responsible for psychiatric patient care purposefully selected at nine PCUs in southern Thailand,
including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phangnga, and Chumporn provinces, between March and
December 2019. Data analysis was carried out using Colaizzi’s method.
Results: The experiences of CNs were expressed through three main themes: “Confronting role
expansion in long-term psychiatric care responsibilities,” “Insecurity in role ambiguity,” and “Duty of
supportive caring for marginalized people.”
Conclusion: Thai CNs face significant stress when providing care for psychiatric patients, grappling
with their acknowledged lack of specialization and essential expertise in the field. Alongside the issue,
they knew that supportive caring for marginalized people is their duty to humanity. Primary care
systems must recognize CNs’ vital role in enhancing psychiatric patient care. Comprehensive training
empowers them, fostering confidence and enabling better connections and care management. This can
lead to improved patient outcomes and overall care quality.
Keywords
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