Anxiety and Self-Control in the Documentation of Nursing Care in Mental Health and Psychiatric

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is part of human daily life. Events such as hospitalization may not always be experienced in a healthy way, interfering with treatment and recovery. Objectives: To develop a clinical path in the field of anxiety and its self-control to guide the documentation of nursing care in the mental and psychiatric health specialty. Methods: Descriptive and qualitative study, using a focus group, with an intentional sample of fifteen Specialist Nurses in Mental and Psychiatric Health (EESMP). Data were collected, subjected to content analysis, categorized and organized into a clinical pathway. Results: Three areas were considered for the construction of the clinical pathway. In the thematic unit “anxiety assessment”, the following categories emerged: “who to assess” and “how to assess”. “Assisting in identifying triggering factors”, “Psychotherapeutic intervention”, “Distraction and relaxation” and “Valuing family support” were the categories highlighted in “intervention in anxiety”. Finally, in the thematic unit “self-control of anxiety” the categories “Improving knowledge” and “Improving self-management capacity” were considered essential. Conclusion: Anxiety has a significant impact on everyday life and can occur in any hospital context. EESMPs play a key role in reducing anxiety levels and empowering people to self-control their anxiety. The systematization and incorporation of formal knowledge through a clinical path facilitates the care process and the standardization of nursing documentation.