Abstract
Background: Auditory hallucinations are a prevalent positive symptom in schizophrenia, with 20-60% of patients experiencing them even with regular medication. Nurses' expertise in managing these hallucinations directly influences symptom stability. Nurses who feel overwhelmed by handling auditory hallucinations may also consider leaving the profession. Thus, understanding psychiatric nurses' experiences and challenges in managing auditory hallucinations is valuable.
Aim: To explore psychiatric nurses' experiences in caring for patients with auditory hallucinations.
Methods: This qualitative study included 39 nurses (10 male, 29 female) across four psychiatric hospitals. Three rounds of focus group interviews were conducted weekly from June to August 2024, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Four main themes emerged: (1) Coexisting with auditory hallucinations—some patients perceive hallucinations as helpful; (2) Concerns—hallucinations sometimes urge self-harm or harm to others; (3) Medication necessity—medication remains a priority in acute phases; and (4) Barriers—insufficient training in recognizing and managing auditory hallucinations.
Conclusions: This study provides insights into psychiatric nurses' perspectives on caring for patients with auditory hallucinations, offering guidance for future training programs in auditory hallucination management.
Notes
References:
McCluskey, A., Watson, C., Nugent, L., O’Connor, T., Moore, Z., O’Brien, N., Molloy, L., & Patton, D. (2022). Psychiatric nurse's perceptions of their interactions with people who hear voices: A qualitative systematic review and thematic analysis. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 29(3), 395-407. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12829
Sommer, I. E., & Hugdahl, K. (2019). Auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia: Where are we now and where do we go from here? A personal commentary. Schizophrenia Research, 212, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2019.07.017
White, M. R., Stein-Parbury, J., Orr, F., & Dawson, A. (2019). Working with consumers who hear voices: The experience of early career nurses in mental health services in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 28(2), 605-615. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12566
Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Psychiatric Nurses, Auditory Hallucinations, Nurse Perspectives, Hallucination Management
Recommended Citation
Lo, Su-Chen; Li, Jia-Min; and Yang, Chiu-Yueh Yueh, "Auditory Hallucinations as Patients' Allies: Challenges for Psychiatric Nurses in Clinical Care" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 99.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/99
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Auditory Hallucinations as Patients' Allies: Challenges for Psychiatric Nurses in Clinical Care
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Auditory hallucinations are a prevalent positive symptom in schizophrenia, with 20-60% of patients experiencing them even with regular medication. Nurses' expertise in managing these hallucinations directly influences symptom stability. Nurses who feel overwhelmed by handling auditory hallucinations may also consider leaving the profession. Thus, understanding psychiatric nurses' experiences and challenges in managing auditory hallucinations is valuable.
Aim: To explore psychiatric nurses' experiences in caring for patients with auditory hallucinations.
Methods: This qualitative study included 39 nurses (10 male, 29 female) across four psychiatric hospitals. Three rounds of focus group interviews were conducted weekly from June to August 2024, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Four main themes emerged: (1) Coexisting with auditory hallucinations—some patients perceive hallucinations as helpful; (2) Concerns—hallucinations sometimes urge self-harm or harm to others; (3) Medication necessity—medication remains a priority in acute phases; and (4) Barriers—insufficient training in recognizing and managing auditory hallucinations.
Conclusions: This study provides insights into psychiatric nurses' perspectives on caring for patients with auditory hallucinations, offering guidance for future training programs in auditory hallucination management.
Description
This study explored the experiences of 39 psychiatric nurses caring for patients with auditory hallucinations. Nurses expressed that patients need to coexist with auditory hallucinations and are worried that auditory hallucinations may instruct patients to harm themselves or others. Lack of adequate training is a barrier.