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Mental health nurses in non-uniform: Facilitator of recovery process?

INTRODUCTION
A non-uniform policy was recently adopted in selected Hong Kong rehabilitation wards to align with the philosophy of the Recovery Model. The change in policy is relatively novel in Asia, where no previous studies have reported how this may influence nursing care and service users' recovery.


AIM
To explore Hong Kong mental health nurses' views about wearing non-uniform within an in-patient rehabilitation unit in regards to facilitating service users' recovery process.


METHOD
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, utilizing individual in-depth semi-structured research interviews.


RESULTS
A total of 12 interviews were conducted with nurse participants. The analysis process identified 3 main themes and 9 sub-themes. Main themes were 'building up rapport with service users', 'non-uniform helps deinstitutionalization' and 'different approaches to maximize the benefit and to minimize the risk'.


DISCUSSION
Despite some concerns, the majority of nurse participants positively viewed the policy of wearing non-uniform and felt it was potentially beneficial to service users' recovery process.


IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Nurses perceived that wearing non-uniform may facilitate meaningful therapeutic engagement, and may help to reduce the self-stigma and develop the self-esteem of service users. Other inpatient units in Hong Kong and similar Asian settings might consider adopting the policy.