The overall aim of supportive observations is to prevent potentially suicidal, violent or vulnerable patients from harming themselves or others, manage risk or therapeutic activity.
What you'll learn.
The primary aim of observation should be to engage positively with the patient. This involves a two-way relationship, established between a patient and a staff member, which is meaningful, grounded in trust, and therapeutic for the patient. Observation is an intervention that is used both for the short term management of disturbed/violent behaviour and to prevent self-harm (NICE Clinical Guidelines 25).
Who is Supportive Observations within Mental Health for?
Supportive observation is an important skill for all mental health professionals to ensure the safe and sensitive monitoring of the persons behaviour and mental wellbeing.
What are the learning outcomes?
- Understand guidance on Safe and Supportive Observations
- Engage in communication, listening to convey to patients that they are valued and cared
- Identify risk factors and elements of change in the patients’ mental and physical state.
- Take and record patient observations
- Interact in a therapeutic way with the patient on a one to one basis
- Maintain the correct procedures whilst conducting observations on individuals
- Download course brochure
