Development of Home Care System for Psychiatric Patient : A Study in Yangsisurat Hospital

Abstract

Objective : This independent study aimed to develop a home care system forpsychiatric patients. The study was operated at Yangsisurat Hospital, Mahasarakham between November, 2013 and May, 2014.

Methods : To develop the home care system for psychiatric patients, an integration of the outcome model and system theory was utilized. Data were collected
through observations, field notes, focus-group interviews, and questionnaires.

Results : The revealed that the home care system for psychiatric patients was clearly established. Yangsisurat Hospital initiated the formation of a
mental health and psychiatric unit to provide services through the co-operation of nurses working at the unit, nurses working at the primary care unit, and residents of the community. Activities of caring for the psychiatric patients at homes were established based on an agreement between patients’ family and community through the facilitation of nurses. During the development of the home care system, eight registered nurses were trained to improve their mental health and psychiatric nursing. They evaluated that the development program helped them improve their knowledge and perceptions of caring for psychiatric patients and their families living in the community. They also stated that they were satisfied with participating in this program. Four out of the twele nurses indicated that this program should be continually implemented by using the community’s collaboration. Moreover, the results showed that community
leaders from seven villages were able to form seven programs to care for psychiatric patients in the community. There were 21 psychiatric patients being cared for at their homes, 18 patients being able to care for themselves, one patient being readmitted to the hospital, one patient refusing treatment, and one patient dying. In conclusion, this development of a home care system was successful and those related to its development were satisfied with the program.

Keywords : The development, home care system, psychiatric patients