Using nursing theory and a structured psychoeducational curriculum with inpatient groups.

Involving patients in groups has been identified as one way of optimizing patient treatment options while maximizing staff resources and containing costs. In this article, literature on the use of groups by nurses in an inpatient setting is reviewed, and the development of a program involving a psychoeducational group curriculum incorporating Orlando's nursing theory is described. The program was found to be very helpful in (a) providing structured content; (b) promoting greater comfort, active involvement, and learning by registered nurses and patients; and (c) demonstrating improved patient response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]