Kontinuitet inom den psykiatriska vården : en litteraturbaserad studie utifrån patientens perspektiv

Sammanfattning: Background: A large number of the Swedish population are today living with some kind of mental illness. With an understanding of patient's experiences of continuity, the nurses are able to meet each patient based on their desires. This contributes to an increased opportunity for the patient to achieve health. Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate patients' experience of continuity of care in psychiatric care. Method: A literature-based study was conducted by analysis of qualitative articles. The articles were found through systematic searches in the databases Cinahl and PsycINFO. A total of eight articles were selected and analysed according to Friberg's five-step model. Results: The result was presented in three main themes which illuminated the patients' perspective. The first theme described the meaning of a care relationship to achieve continuity of care. In the second theme information was presented about how patient participation affects continuity. The third and last theme highlights the organizations effects on continuity. Conclusion: The conclusion is that an increased understanding of patient's own experiences of continuity is needed. It provides an opportunity for patients to achieve health and for health care professionals to meet the patient based on individual conditions in the care relationship. Maintaining continuity in psychiatric care has several positive aspects, both for the individual but also for the health care staff and organization, and should therefore be a priority.