Knowledge, Attitude & Performance of Psychiatric Nurses toward Psychotropic Agent

Abstract

Background: Nurses knowledge skill and attitudes has become an important part for caring of psychiatric patient in order to provide quality care and information effectively by health education, develop strategies to manage side effects of psychotropics, Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the psychiatric nurse's knowledge, attitude and performance toward psychotropic agent. Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was used. Purposeful samples of 100 nurses (males & females) were recruited for the study with inclusion criteria. Both sexes, and willingness to participate in the study. The study was conducted at Benha mental health hospital. Tools for data collection Were socio demographic characteristics of the studied nurses, knowledge questionnaire about psyhotropic medications likert scale to assess nurses attitude toward psychotropics, and checklist to assess nurses skill toward psychotrpic agents. Conclusion: It may be conducted that psychiatric nurses had low knowledge about adverse effects and complication they had good attitude and practice toward psychotropics and about one third of studied nurse didn’t attend any training course about psychotropics. Recommendations: Encourage nurses to participate in training courses in hospital to be most knowledgeable in the field of psychiatric nursing.