Opening up: psychiatric nurses' experiences of participating in reflection groups focusing on the use of coercion

Psychiatric staff report that the use of coercion towards patients in psychiatric care engenders feelings of discomfort and conflicts. The aim of this study was to describe psychiatric nurses' experiences of participating in reflection groups focused on the use of coercion, in relation to their views regarding systematic clinical supervision and staff support. Twenty-one nurses who had participated in reflection groups were interviewed retrospectively. The structured interview focused on: (i) their views of clinical supervision and support in general; (ii) their views of clinical supervision and support specifically concerning the use of coercion; and (iii) their experiences of participating in groups reflecting the use of coercion. Nurses were largely positive about participating in reflection groups, as expressed in the subthemes: having time for reflection; being confirmed; gaining new perspectives; sharing fellowship with colleagues; and relating more effectively to patients. Complications concerning participation in the reflection groups and other forms of clinical supervision as reported by nurses were: providing time for participation; having a common aim; being vulnerable in difficult situations; and assuming that the need for supervision and support could indicate that they were not coping with their job.