Abstract
Introduction
In recent years, palliative care approaches for patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness have been proposed, but remain controversial. Aim/Question: The central research question of the present study was whether nurses consider palliative psychiatry appropriate in general and for certain patient types in particular. This pilot study is designed to inform future research. Method: A quantitative survey that explored attitudes and beliefs regarding palliative care for those with severe, persistent mental illness. Results: The responding 38 nurses tended to agree that palliative care approaches are suitable (73%, n = 24) and even important (62%, n = 21) in treating patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness, including interventions such as palliative sedation (73%, n = 24). Discussion: Widespread support among respondents regarding palliative care approaches for those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness might be an indication that palliative approaches are already implicitly understood and incorporated into patients’ care. More research is needed to determine if these findings represent nurses’ views generally. Implications for Practice: These finding suggest that palliative psychiatry should be further explored and developed.