Usefulness of the ACT model for nurses in psychiatric inpatient care: A qualitative content analysis

Alleviating the suffering of patients treated in psychiatric inpatient wards is a great challenge. Preliminary or multiple diagnoses, inherent complexities of the inpatient milieu and the lack of potentially effective psychological treatment form part of this challenge. The present study explored the usefulness of a transdiagnostic psychological treatment model (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, ACT) as a means of improving inpatient care from the perspective of psychiatric nurses. Nurses (n =10) participated in three ACT workshops, a total of 21 h, and were interviewed about the experienced usefulness and difficulties of the ACT model, as a tool for improving everyday ward work. Results, revealed by qualitative content analysis, suggest usefulness in the areas of alleviating patients symptoms, enriching typical ward duties, and handling one's own thoughts and feelings. Difficulties stemmed from lack of time, the model itself and patients' severe illness. Possible adjustments of the ward context are suggested.