Abstract
A major difficulty identified many years ago in psychiatric care is the shortage of appropriate instruments with which to carry out valid and reliable therapeutic assessments which are behaviourally based and therefore appropriate for use in a variety of contexts. The aim of this project was to ascertain the utility of a forensic nursing risk assessment tool - Behavioural Status Index (BEST-Index). The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-site cross-sectional survey was undertaken using mixed method design. Quantitative data was generated using BEST-Index to allow comparisons across three different levels of security (high, medium and low) in Scotland and Ireland. Qualitative data were gathered from patients and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) members using semi-structured interviews and questionnaire.
Findings
Measured over an 18-month period, there was a statistically significant improvement in behaviour, when comparing patients in high and medium secure hospitals. Two key themes emerged from patient and staff perspectives: “acceptance of the process” and “production and delivery of information”, respectively. The wider MDT acknowledge the value of nursing risk assessment, but require adequate information to enable them to interpret findings. Collaborating with patients to undertake risk assessments can enhance future care planning.
Research limitations/implications
Studies using cross-section can only provide information at fixed points in time.
Practical implications
The BEST-Index assessment tool is well established in clinical practice and has demonstrated good utility.
Originality/value
This project has served to highlight the unique contribution of BEST-Index to both staff and patients alike and confirm its robustness and versatility across differing levels of security in Scottish and Irish forensic mental health services.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 124-138 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Journal of Forensic Practice |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 May 2019 |
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Keywords
- Risk assessment
- Behavioural Status Index
- Forensic
- Care planning
- Secure hospital
- Nursing assessment
Cite this
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A multi-site survey of forensic nursing assessment. / Walker, Helen; Tulloch, Lindsay; Boa, Karen; Ritchie, Gordon ; Thomson, John.
In: Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 21, No. 2, 23.05.2019, p. 124-138.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A multi-site survey of forensic nursing assessment
AU - Walker, Helen
AU - Tulloch, Lindsay
AU - Boa, Karen
AU - Ritchie, Gordon
AU - Thomson, John
PY - 2019/5/23
Y1 - 2019/5/23
N2 - PurposeA major difficulty identified many years ago in psychiatric care is the shortage of appropriate instruments with which to carry out valid and reliable therapeutic assessments which are behaviourally based and therefore appropriate for use in a variety of contexts. The aim of this project was to ascertain the utility of a forensic nursing risk assessment tool - Behavioural Status Index (BEST-Index). The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachA multi-site cross-sectional survey was undertaken using mixed method design. Quantitative data was generated using BEST-Index to allow comparisons across three different levels of security (high, medium and low) in Scotland and Ireland. Qualitative data were gathered from patients and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) members using semi-structured interviews and questionnaire.FindingsMeasured over an 18-month period, there was a statistically significant improvement in behaviour, when comparing patients in high and medium secure hospitals. Two key themes emerged from patient and staff perspectives: “acceptance of the process” and “production and delivery of information”, respectively. The wider MDT acknowledge the value of nursing risk assessment, but require adequate information to enable them to interpret findings. Collaborating with patients to undertake risk assessments can enhance future care planning.Research limitations/implicationsStudies using cross-section can only provide information at fixed points in time.Practical implicationsThe BEST-Index assessment tool is well established in clinical practice and has demonstrated good utility.Originality/valueThis project has served to highlight the unique contribution of BEST-Index to both staff and patients alike and confirm its robustness and versatility across differing levels of security in Scottish and Irish forensic mental health services.
AB - PurposeA major difficulty identified many years ago in psychiatric care is the shortage of appropriate instruments with which to carry out valid and reliable therapeutic assessments which are behaviourally based and therefore appropriate for use in a variety of contexts. The aim of this project was to ascertain the utility of a forensic nursing risk assessment tool - Behavioural Status Index (BEST-Index). The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachA multi-site cross-sectional survey was undertaken using mixed method design. Quantitative data was generated using BEST-Index to allow comparisons across three different levels of security (high, medium and low) in Scotland and Ireland. Qualitative data were gathered from patients and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) members using semi-structured interviews and questionnaire.FindingsMeasured over an 18-month period, there was a statistically significant improvement in behaviour, when comparing patients in high and medium secure hospitals. Two key themes emerged from patient and staff perspectives: “acceptance of the process” and “production and delivery of information”, respectively. The wider MDT acknowledge the value of nursing risk assessment, but require adequate information to enable them to interpret findings. Collaborating with patients to undertake risk assessments can enhance future care planning.Research limitations/implicationsStudies using cross-section can only provide information at fixed points in time.Practical implicationsThe BEST-Index assessment tool is well established in clinical practice and has demonstrated good utility.Originality/valueThis project has served to highlight the unique contribution of BEST-Index to both staff and patients alike and confirm its robustness and versatility across differing levels of security in Scottish and Irish forensic mental health services.
KW - Risk assessment
KW - Behavioural Status Index
KW - Forensic
KW - Care planning
KW - Secure hospital
KW - Nursing assessment
U2 - 10.1108/JFP-11-2018-0045
DO - 10.1108/JFP-11-2018-0045
M3 - Article
VL - 21
SP - 124
EP - 138
JO - Journal of Forensic Practice
JF - Journal of Forensic Practice
SN - 2050-8794
IS - 2
ER -