Ständig tillsyn — en kvalificerad vårdhandling inom psykiatrisk vård

• Published in: Nordic journal of nursing research 2014-09, Vol.34 (3), p.38-42
• Main Authors: Ståhl, Malin, Carlsson, Gunilla, Nyström, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; sme
• ISSN: 0107-4083; 2057-1585; 2057-1593
• DOI: 10.1177/010740831403400309

Constant supervision in psychiatric care entails that a carer has constant watch over a patient. It is based on a medical order but is also an important act of caring, with potential for close contact between carer and patient. This study investigates both patients' and carers' perspectives of constant supervision with focus on the aspect of caring. It aims to compare similarities and differences in order to understand how constant supervision can be an act of caring. Seven patients and six carers were interviewed about their personal experiences of constant supervision. Their statements were interpreted using a life world hermeneutic method and three main themes emerged; constant supervision against the patient's will, against the carer's will and as an alliance for collaboration. One main interpretation points at parallel processes and that the constant supervision requires a health care organization that values caring relations. The findings are discussed with help from Foucault's ideas on power and powerlessness.