Caregivers experiences of nursing care for relatives hospitalized during manic episode: A phenomenological study.

PURPOSE: To describe the experiences of informal caregivers with the nursing care received by relatives hospitalized for mania.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

Multicenter phenomenological study using open interviews. Data were analyzed using the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method.

FINDINGS: The essence of the experiences was the importance of communication, about being informed and involved in treatment during hospitalization of their relative. The experiences depended on the nature of the relation between participant and relative.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should listen to caregivers' experiences, inquire about the expectations of caregivers regarding nursing care, and advise informal caregivers on how to take care of their relatives.