Implementing Education on Music Therapy to Healthcare Professionals in Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Units to Decrease Incidences of Aggression among Patients; who is first affected by this issue if not resolved, who is second population affected by this issue if not resolved?
In the context of implementing education on music therapy to healthcare professionals in acute psychiatric inpatient units to decrease incidences of aggression among patients, two key populations would be affected if the issue is not resolved:
1. First Population Affected: Patients
The primary group affected if this issue is not resolved are the patients in the psychiatric unit. Aggression in inpatient psychiatric settings can exacerbate patients’ mental health conditions, lead to physical harm, and result in a more chaotic and unsafe environment. Without proper interventions like music therapy, patients may experience:
Increased distress: The absence of calming, therapeutic interventions could heighten stress, anxiety, and frustration in patients, potentially leading to more frequent and intense aggressive outbursts.
Worsening of psychiatric symptoms: Aggressive incidents often lead to further isolation, restraint, or sedation, which could worsen the underlying mental health condition and slow down the recovery process.
Physical injuries: Aggressive episodes can result in injuries to the patient themselves or others, leading to trauma or long-term physical harm.
2. Second Population Affected: Healthcare Professionals and Staff
The healthcare professionals and staff are the second group affected by unresolved aggression in psychiatric units. If music therapy or other strategies to mitigate aggression are not implemented, healthcare staff may experience:
Increased occupational stress: The unpredictability and frequency of aggression can lead to heightened job-related stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion among staff members.
Safety concerns: Staff are at risk of injury from aggressive patients, which could impact their physical health and create an unsafe work environment. This could also lead to increased absenteeism due to injuries.
Job dissatisfaction and turnover: Persistent aggression without adequate interventions can lead to dissatisfaction in the workplace and contribute to high staff turnover, which further strains the unit and affects the continuity of care for patients.
Broader Impact:
If not addressed, the ripple effects of unmanaged aggression can extend beyond these two populations, impacting family members of patients, other patients in the unit, and the overall healthcare system through increased use of restraints, medication, and hospital resources.
Incorporating music therapy education for healthcare professionals could significantly reduce these negative outcomes by offering non-pharmacological, patient-centered approaches to manage aggression, benefiting both patients and staff in psychiatric inpatient settings.