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Accessible summary: What is known about the subject?: Euthanasia because of unbearable mental suffering (UMS euthanasia) has been legal in Belgium since 2002 under strict conditions of careful practice. UMS euthanasia occurs fairly rarely in Belgium, but the frequency has increased substantially over the past few years. Although most mental health nurses play an important role and are supportive of euthanasia in general, their role, attitude and knowledge when it comes to UMS euthanasia were unknown until now. What this paper adds to existing knowledge?: Most mental health nurses in Belgium appear to be supportive towards UMS euthanasia and where UMS euthanasia is carried out, mental health nurses are often involved in the preceding decision‐making process. Mental health nurses critically reflect on the interpretation and application of the legal euthanasia criteria as experienced in their daily work with their patients, and identify several problems. After a rather quiet period in Belgium, the public ethical debate regarding UMS euthanasia has recently been reopened and intensified. What are the implications for practice?: Sufficient attention must be paid to how mental health nurses can be involved in the process of UMS euthanasia. This applies at several levels: legal, healthcare policy, bedside care and education. Specific attention must be paid within the UMS euthanasia process to ensure adequate cooperation between physicians, nurses and patients. There is a need for proper training in: knowledge of psychiatric pathologies and remaining treatment options; communication skills; the legal framework and all its difficulties; transdisciplinary and multicultural approaches; ethical reflection and how nurses handle their own emotions. Abstract: Introduction: Euthanasia because of unbearable mental suffering (UMS euthanasia) has been legal in Belgium since 2002, under certain circumstances that govern careful practice. Despite the legal framework, there are specific difficulties and concerns regarding UMS euthanasia. Mental health nurses are often involved in the process, but little is known about their attitudes towards UMS euthanasia, their role and their knowledge. Aim: To determine the attitudes, role and knowledge of mental health nurses regarding UMS euthanasia. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was performed at a convenience sample of four psychiatric hospitals in Belgium (n = 133) as a pilot study. Self‐administered questionnaires were provided to mental health nurses. Results: Half the nurses in our sample had been involved at least once in the process of UMS euthanasia. A large majority of mental health nurses were supportive of UMS euthanasia. Nurses show differences in attitudes related to the different psychiatric pathologies of the patients, and in whether or not minors are involved. In some cases, they believed that the mental suffering of psychiatric patients can be unbearable and irreversible and that psychiatric patients can be competent to voluntarily request UMS euthanasia. Nurses stated that they have an important role in the UMS euthanasia process, but also demanded more knowledge and clear guidelines to implement the procedure. Discussion: Nurses have a key role regarding UMS euthanasia but face several challenges: the recent process, resistance to a multidisciplinary approach by psychiatrists and an unclear role defined by the legal framework. Nurses do not appear to have a common voice on the topic and the development of clear guidelines appears to be essential. Social recovery can offer a way out of an UMS euthanasia request, but it will not always offer a solution. Implications for Practice: Sufficient attention must be paid to how mental health nurses can be involved in the process of UMS euthanasia at various levels: bedside practice, healthcare management, education and policy. A form of systematic cooperation between nurses, physicians and patients can contribute to the utmost careful decision‐making process needed in these cases. There is a need for proper training in: knowledge of psychiatric pathologies and remaining treatment options; communication skills; the legal framework and all its difficulties; transdisciplinary and multicultural approaches; ethical reflection and how nurses handle their own emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary What is known on the subject? People admitted to psychiatric facilities have high rates of tobacco use and hospitalizations present an opportunity for patients to have conversations about tobacco use treatment., Clinicians may believe that people with mental illnesses are not interested in quitting or that they do not understand the importance of treatment., Positive attitudes towards tobacco treatment, viewing that participating in treatment is normal care, and feeling that one is quite able to participate in such treatment predicts intentions to participate in treatment, which, in turn, predicts actual participation., What does this paper add to existing knowledge? Psychiatric patients who use tobacco use report poor prior involvement with tobacco treatment., Positive attitudes towards, encouraging opinions of other people about, and having a sense of control over taking part in tobacco treatment increases plans to engage in treatment., Having a sense of control in taking part in tobacco treatment is strongly associated with prior experiences with evidence-based treatment., What are the implications for practice? Because psychiatric hospitalizations are an opportunity for addressing tobacco use and treatment, clinicians should be prepared to support willing patients, especially those with prior substance use histories., Support should include providing them with information regarding tobacco treatment options during their hospital stay and ways that they can continue to receive care after discharge., Clinicians should be promoters of pro-tobacco treatment attitudes and supporting patients' sense of control over participating in treatment during hospitalization., Abstract Introduction Hospitalized tobacco users with mental illnesses ( MI) may face several barriers to stopping smoking. However, motivational factors that affect the intention to engage in tobacco treatment have been shown to predict actual engagement. Aim To use the Theory of Planned Behavior to assess intentions to and prior experiences of engaging in evidence-based tobacco treatment among hospitalized individuals with MI. Method A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 115 patients in a state psychiatric hospital. Multivariate analyses were used to examine associations with the intentions and prior experiences of engaging in tobacco treatment. Results After controlling for demographic and smoking history, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control towards engaging in tobacco treatment were significantly associated with intentions towards treatment engagement. Only higher scores on perceived behavioural control and lower education levels were associated with reported prior experiences of tobacco treatment. Discussion The low prior treatment engagement scores, but relatively higher intention to engage scores among participants suggests the need for deliberate support for evidence-based tobacco treatment during psychiatric hospitalizations. Implications for practice Clinician training in tobacco treatment can promote self-efficacy to engage patients while supporting patients' control so that tobacco treatment is an expected component of psychiatric care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary What is known on the subject? Several studies have measured the general public's knowledge and attitudes towards Alzheimer's disease; however, much of this work is based on western samples. Due to cultural differences, the western findings may be difficult to generalize to the Chinese general public. In addition, the few studies conducted in China were often restricted to a relatively narrow range of knowledge and attitudes., What this paper adds to existing knowledge? The general public had little knowledge of Alzheimer's disease, especially on the causes, symptoms and risk factors. In terms of attitudes, although the general public held positive attitudes towards persons with Alzheimer's disease, most of them were not sure whether or not to share a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with the patient. In daily life, only a low proportion of people kept mentally active., What are the implications for practice? A popularization of a wide range of knowledge about Alzheimer's disease needs to be undertaken, especially focusing on persons with low educational level and emphasizing the causes, symptoms and risk factors. Besides, there is a significant need to draw up evidence-based dietary and lifestyle guidelines for Alzheimer's disease risk reduction. Moreover, health promotion agencies should identify priority groups for Alzheimer's disease risk reduction initiatives, especially those with lower income, a lower level of knowledge on Alzheimer's disease and with chronic diseases., Abstract Aim The purpose of this descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was to assess the current level of knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours regarding Alzheimer's disease among community residents in Tianjin, China and to identify factors related to these attributes. Method A convenience sample of 140 community-dwelling adults aged 20-75 years was selected to complete a researcher-designed questionnaire about Alzheimer's disease-related knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours. Results The findings revealed that 15.7% of the participants knew the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. With regard to attitude, 138 participants (98.6%) believed that people with Alzheimer's disease should not be discriminated against, and 55.7% were not sure whether to share a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with the patient. In daily life, 28.6% of the participants pursued their interests and hobbies. A lower level of health behaviours was associated with lower income, presence of chronic diseases and a lower level of knowledge about Alzheimer's disease. Discussion These findings provide a strong case for population-level risk reduction initiatives to be undertaken, especially among people with lower income, a lower level of knowledge on Alzheimer's disease and with chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary What is known about the subject? The Advancing Recovery in Ireland ( ARI) project (Health Service Executive, 2012) promotes recovery-orientated services. A previous study of Irish mental health practitioners (Cleary & Dowling ) identified the need to improve knowledge and attitudes towards recovery., To facilitate implementation of ARI and monitor progress, this study provided a 'benchmark' of current knowledge and attitudes to recovery., What this study adds to existing knowledge? The study provides important baseline information on recovery knowledge and attitudes which can be used to assess the impact of the ARI Project. It also provides valuable information that can be compared to recovery approaches employed in other countries., Despite the increased emphasis on recovery in Ireland, knowledge and attitudes of health care practitioners towards recovery remain relatively unchanged between 2007 and 2013., Working in dual settings, being a non-nurse, and training was associated with better RKI scores. Training appears to be the strongest factor in predicting better recovery knowledge., The findings suggest that knowledge levels and attitude changes following education may not be sustained over time and ongoing training may be required., What are the implications for practice? There is considerable scope to improve recovery knowledge. Key recommendations include the need for more recovery training, evaluate whether training translates into clinical practice, using 'Recovery Champions', introducing peer support workers and developing local policies and protocols to support recovery practice., Abstract Introduction A study of Irish mental health practitioners (Cleary & Dowling ) identified the need to improve knowledge and attitudes towards recovery. This led to the Advancing Recovery in Ireland Project ( ARI) which promoted recovery-orientated services and a need to 'benchmark' progress. There is little evidence regarding the types of educational interventions that maintain positive recovery knowledge and attitudes in providers. Aim The study assessed current knowledge and attitudes to recovery. Methods The methodology of Cleary & Dowling () was replicated. A survey was administered to practitioners (n = 337) using the adapted Recovery Knowledge Inventory ( RKI) (Cleary & Dowling ). Results No significant differences were found in recovery scores compared to Cleary & Dowling () or by level of experience. Working in dual settings, being a non-nurse, and training was associated with better recovery scores. Significantly more respondents had received training in recovery (40% versus 23%) compared to Cleary & Dowling (). Training appears to be the strongest factor predicting better recovery knowledge. Conclusions There is considerable scope to improve recovery knowledge. Key recommendations include the need for more recovery training, using 'Recovery Champions', introducing peer support workers and developing local policies and protocols to support recovery working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary The Attitudes Toward Acute Mental Health scale (ATAMHS) was translated into Korean with attention to linguistic and content equivalence. Nine items were eliminated from the Korean version because of low correlations with the overall scale due to differences in clinical nursing environments and culture between South Korea and English-speaking countries., The results of this study showed that the Korean version of the ATAMHS (ATAMHS-K) is a reliable and valid scale for measuring attitudes toward mental illness in nurses and nursing students in an acute mental care setting., Factor analysis of the 24-item ATAMHS-K revealed three factors: (1) professional perspective; (2) semantic differentials; and (3) positive attitudes. The final analysis revealed that the three factors accounted for 39.5% of the variance. In addition, the ATAMHS-K was shown to have strong concurrent validity due to its strong positive correlations with the Community Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill - Korean version (CAMI-K) scale., This study was the first attempt to adapt the ATAMHS for use in South Korea and to validate it with Korean nurses and nursing students., Abstract The purpose of this study was to adapt the Attitudes Toward Acute Mental Health Scale ( ATAMHS) into the Korean language and culture and then to determine the reliability and validity of it by administering it to a sample of Korean nursing students and nurses. We conducted a psychometric evaluation that included a two-step item analysis (analysis and reanalysis), exploratory factor analysis and concurrent validity. The ATAMHS was translated into Korean by bilingual nurses. Then, 429 participants (224 undergraduate nursing students and 205 nurses, all with psychiatric experience) completed the translated version of the ATAMHS. The item analysis revealed that nine items correlated poorly with the rest; thus, they were deleted from the scale. The final Korean version of the scale, which we refer to as the Korean version of the ATAMHS ( ATAMHS- K), contains 24 items. The ATAMHS- K showed good internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors (professional perspective, semantic differentials and positive attitudes) that explained 39.5% of the variance. The ATAMHS- K had strong correlations with the Korean version of the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill Scale, thus confirming the concurrent validity. Therefore, the ATAMHS- K demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties as a measure of attitudes toward acute mental health in Korean nursing students and nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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