Enhanced Observation: How Therapeutic Are They Within A Medium Secure Forensic Mental Health Setting?

Enhanced observations (EO) have been integral to mental health nursing care for decades. However, research examining patient’s experiences of EO within forensic mental health settings is limited. This study explored patients’ lived experiences of EO within a medium secure hospital as part of a service review. Four patients and one staff member completed semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The four themes that emerged were: 1) The importance of the therapeutic relationship;2) Focus on staff’s interpersonal qualities; 3) EO experienced as loss; and 4) Factors to improve the therapeutic experience. Staff awareness training and development of guidelines (embedded within service policy) were suggested recommendations; with the aim of enhancing patient focused practice and altering a ritualistic task to become a recovery orientated therapeutic experience.