Introducing a Unique Communication Method for Mental Health Crises: A Pilot Study on Staff and Patients in a Young Adult Male Psychiatric Unit
N. Sinai, M. Kupchik, S. LoebensteinIntroduction
Effective communication with patients experiencing acute psychiatric crises is crucial for preventing escalation and fostering a therapeutic alliance. A specialized communication method, developed by the Magnus organization, is designed to create a meaningful connection with patients in extreme distress, emphasizing de-escalation, strengthening trust between staff and patients, and promoting engagement with treatment programs.
The main research question - Does implementing structured communication training program for staff improve staff self-efficacy and increase patients’ trust in staff, offering a unique perspective on both staff skills and patient experience in a male young adult psychiatric inpatient unit?
Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of implementing Magnus’ communication training program on staff self-efficacy and patients’ trust in staff in a male psychiatric inpatient unit for young adults (ages 18–30). The study offers a unique perspective by focusing not only on patients’ perceptions of trust, but also on staff members’ sense of self-efficacy, which may contribute to broader improvements in multiple aspects of clinical practice and patient care.
Methods
Staff from a male young adult psychiatric unit (ages 18–30) participated in an eight-session, three-month communication training program delivered by Magnus instructors. Staff completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and the Self-Efficacy in Patient-Centeredness Questionnaire (SE-12) before and after the program. To assess patient trust in staff, approximately 30 patients completed the Patient-Provider Questionnaire (PPQ) and the Trust in Physicians Scale (TPS) before the intervention, and a separate group of 30 patients completed the same questionnaires after the intervention.
Results
After the training, staff showed significantly higher self-efficacy (GSE, SE-12), and patient trust in staff (PPQ, TPS) also increased significantly, indicating positive effects on both staff confidence and the therapeutic relationship.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that implementing an effective communication method and structured staff training can enhance functioning in a psychiatric inpatient unit on two levels: improving staff self-efficacy and strengthening patient trust in staff. Increased staff self-efficacy may indirectly contribute to higher patient trust, highlighting the importance of supporting staff skills to promote better therapeutic relationships and overall ward functioning.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared