Nurses and physicians' opinions and approaches towards the use of physical restraints

Abstract

The opinions and approaches on the use of physical restraints by nurses (86) and physicians (78) working in a training hospital were investigated. The data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Categorical analysis showed that the majority of nurses and physicians use physical restraints for unconscious patients and for those who are agitated and have behaviours interfering with their treatments. Nurses gave more alternatives to the use of physical restraints and did more medical recording than physicians while explaining the restraints to the patients and their family was only done by nurses. Although in the both groups there was a low percentage statement the use of alternatives to restraints, but using alternatives to restraints was significantly higher the nurses than the physicians.