How Can the Nurse Help the Refractory Patient?
- Author:
Eileeen B. Mason
^ster, De La Pole Hospital, Willerby, Hull; winner “Lord” Memorial Essay Prize, 1940
It is necessary, in Mental Hospitals, to gather together into one ward those Patients who are impulsive, disobedient and the like, or whose presence in other wards gives rise to fights, quarrels and indiscipline. Such trouble-brewers , who have been labelled ” Refractory Patients unquestionably need stricter discipline, and it is not in the interests of the other patients to subject them to the firmer rule.
The Refractory ward is a most satisfying ward in which to work, for the task showing these patients the error of their ways and of directing their ebullient energies falls chiefly to the nurse. Because they are so very much alive and usually fairly intelligent, they are good material to handle.
Refractory behaviour is a single entity, but it manifests itself in a great variety Ways which are predetermined by early experiences of life. Hence, while it does ^?t really matter what form misbehaviour takes, the important question is, Why ^0es this patient behave in this manner ? ” Since the causes of refractory behaviour are> potentially, as numerous and complex as there are men and environments, must, to find the answer, study the psychology of each patient individually and gravel the threads of her life from the cradle to the present moment. The child ls > indeed, ” father to the man.”
Whilst the helpless babe is completely at the mercy of its surroundings, it is the function of the parents to engender those feelings of love and confidence from which later springs a sense of security. They prepare the growing child to co-operate increasingly with others and, eventually, to assume its share of responsibility in the world. Thus she acquires that fearless independence so indispensable from adoles- cence onwards, and, if she has learned to accept denials from those she loves without feelings of disturbance or animosity, she is prepared to face life’s inevitable set-backs and disillusionments.
Learning to live is a process of trial and error. Mistakes and difficulties are bound to occur, but in normal people these are quickly evaluated and the necessary readjustments made in the light of the experience gained. Now, if the child is neither helped nor allowed to develop normally, she soon becomes a prey of conflicts and complexes arising from the mismanagement or repression of her innate urges. Feelings of uncertainty and insecurity permeate her subconscious mind and under- mine her self-confidence. When some major difficulty comes along, she is afraid to face it and may react, mainly, in either of two ways: she may give up the fight and go right under; or she may subconsciously compensate for her weakness by a great show of aggressiveness which, carried to its extreme, results in refractory behaviour; in the expression of feelings and emotion, she regresses to the level of a naughty child. It follows that the nurse ought to cultivate such a relationship with the patient that, in spite of her unfortunate early experiences, she can be helped to develop a balanced judgment and a feeling of self-reliance. As Dr Kimber says, ” the task of the nurse corresponds with that of the parents, and this implies that normal methods of training, encouragement and re-education in its broadest sense will be most successful
A good first impression is essential. A patient cannot be indifferent to the nurse, and how she reacts depends on which of her earlier experiences are stirred. Do we evoke memories of the kind people she knew ? From the genuine pleasure we show at talking to her she should infer that we are going to be friendly and helpful- New admittances, apart from being shaken in their self-esteem at being taken from home, have probably had unnerving experiences and will project their fear into their surroundings. Do not make her feel her position. She has not her liberty and she knows it. Keys should be handled unostentatiously, not flaunted like handbells- Share her loneliness and aching to be with her own folk by talking about them- Allay any unfounded fears she may have about hospital practices by explaining beforehand the reasons for doing a thing. It may be useful to recall our own tremblings on the dentist’s doorstep. One patient broke down completely when the technician approached to do a blood-count, but became quite interested when a nurse begged for a count on herself?as a favour. The patient was invited to assist the technician to take the nurse’s blood and then cheerfully co-operated when her own turn came.
Never allow a ” refractory ” reputation to follow a patient. In a new atmosphere she must get a fresh start, otherwise she will feel that every man’s hand is against her- When Nancy was first brought to my ward, she was given a frightful character.
” Utterly hopeless,” they said, ” a waste of time trying.” Eventually Nancy told roe her version, because I listened sympathetically. She used to work in the laundry ar>d, one day, accidentally splashed another patient. Words, then blows, ensued. In the melee the other patient slipped on the wet floor, fracturing her thigh. She died later of hypostatic pneumonia. From that moment, Nancy was regarded as ” re- fractory “, and in spite of her pleadings was no longer allowed to work in the laundry. But was she so intractable that for four years she had to be penalized for an accident ? The more she protested, the worse name she got. No wonder she kicked against the goad. ” That’s all over and done with now, Nancy,” I said. ” You stay in Uty ward, tidy yourself up and help me to get my work done.” But Nancy didn t stay. She eventually won her discharge.
To be able to help the patient to build up those factors wanting in her character, we must know what difficulties she has encountered. This means setting out to win her confidence, so that she will pour out all the unpleasant emotions festering within. Further, we must judge her acts by her own moral standards, not ours. In that light, the very facts of her experiences will reveal how she thinks and what stirs her emotions, and how, thus giving us sufficient insight into her attitude to life to start re-education. Now, we have to re-educate our patient in two spheres, that of the working ^orld and that of social life.
The bad mental effect of idle hands is well known. Idleness favours self-pity. The mind must be kept busy. In addition, there is the obligation of earning one’s living and contributing to the common good. A patient s contribution to the hospital from which she derives so many benefits should normally be through the e*ercise of her personal talents. Everyone has certain aptitudes: e.g. one has a flair for cooking, another for bargaining, and so on. As Lowell writes, ” No man is horn into the world whose work is not born with him. There is an extremely wide range from which to select, in the ward, the kitchen, the laundry, the garden, the sewing-room. … I know one old person who is happiest when cleaning the Chapel. Work which interests the patient should be allowed to begin with, hut later it must be more utilitarian. In either case it must be within her powers to do it, or she will be discouraged. Work well done sows the seeds of confidence in other matters. If the task is not too well done, or is not finished, the nurse should c?mplete it without fuss, thanking the patient for her help. It need hardly be said that a nurse must never ask a patient to do any work which she is not willing to do herself. Finally, we must acknowledge that the patient is pulling her weight by giving canteen tickets, privileges or extras, according to the value of the work done. ^?r example, if a group of our patients completes some useful undertaking recently a dozen of our refractories cultivated half an acre of grassland they are given a sPecial tea-party at one of the villas, a treat which is greatly appreciated. Monotony of work, and in many cases lack of just a little bit of responsibility, ^re harriers to progress. They stifle the striving forces and repress interest. Equally arigerous are those long hours when the day’s work is over. The patient has earned leisure but cannot be allowed to hang around aimlessly under the pretext of resting … day-dreaming, moping and fretting are sure to set in. To counteract this, and to provide relaxation, each patient ought to be induced to have a personal hobby?sketching, painting, needlecraft, knitting for the Forces (this has a great appeal these days). One of my patients actually looks after the laboratory animals as a hobby. Most people will read if their tastes are consulted and the appropriate type of book or magazine provided. It is surprising how many refractory patients prefer instructive books. Ellen D., for example, will only read books or papers on horticulture.
To help to readjust the patient to social life, the hospital provides many forms of communal entertainment which bring patients and staff together under convivial circumstances?eurythmics, games, dances, whist drives, concerts, rambles, the cinema, etc.?and it requires very little persuasion to attract the shy patient and to get her to take an active part. In our own hospital, a ” Keep-Fit ” class under a qualified instructor was made available. As people derive benefit from such exercises in proportion to the gusto they put into it, the patients find a ready means of using their spare energy in a competitive atmosphere and prove keen pupils. Within a few months most of the patients from the refractory ward were attending at their own request and with most inspiring results.
A hospital Guide Troop is a valuable means of securing both group co-operation and individual achievement. Guiding requires free and friendly social contacts, and the code, based on the principle ” Help your Sister “, has such an appeal to one’s better nature that few fail eventually to respond to it. In addition, the variety of activities it embraces enables each one to find her own metier. Badges can be won for cooking, needlework, laundering, first aid, etc. Those induce friendly rivalry and are something worth working for.
A word about punishment. There are two types of nurse?those who have the faculty of controlling, and those who have not. Those who lack the natural ability tend to use force, which is a confession of weakness and, except in very rare cases where a patient has to be restrained, must never be used. Leadership is a moral force and can be acquired by practice. It is largely a matter of tact. One has to insist on certain regulations which condition health and discipline, but obedience can usually be obtained in a friendly way by explaining the reason for the rules, and by good example. Punishment, when necessary, must be positive, not negative. Forbidding to carry out an intention is a stimulus to increase the energy put into the act. An opportunity for acting in a different way must be provided. Instead of ” seclusion ” or ” isolation from the group “, the patient should be made to do something useful for the group. Punishment must result from the misdemeanour and be commensurate with it. Badly done work must be repeated, the aim being good work. The patient who tries to upset a ward will lose privileges, not because she is pugnacious, but because privileges are the wages of good behaviour.
Finally, patients will be irritable if they are ill or even if just ” off colour “? Of primary importance, then, is a knowledge of each one’s physical condition. The nurse must faithfully carry out such remedial measures as the disease requires and the doctor indicates. She must see that her patient eats sufficient, and regularly- Food must be wholesome and served in an appetizing manner; hot meals are meant to be served hot, not tepid. Irregular movement of the bowels is a critical factor in producing ill health. If the waste products are not removed, the system becomes intoxicated and the nerves irritated. Habit is more natural and quite as effective as medicines. A frank talk with the patient will often secure her co-operation. Tranquil sleep, ” nature’s soft nurse “, has a most beneficial effect on excitable patients. Provided the patient’s day has been well planned, she generally drops off into a refreshing slumber. If, however, she is not able to sleep well, a warm bath and a hot milk drink before retiring help enormously. Frequently a lazy, homely chat has a most soothing effect. Sedatives should be used very sparingly. Bedrooms must be quiet, well ventilated, and feeble illumination is preferable to pitch darkness.
Bedclothes are adapted to the season but must always be light and cosy. Personal cleanliness has a far-reaching effect on mental outlook, and in this respect it is the details which count. It means working harder, but it is well worth the effort to give the patients constant individual attention, manicuring, dressing the hair, suggesting some little alteration in the clothes, noticing and approving any spontaneous improvement.
In conclusion, upon the nurse’s understanding, objectivity, sympathy and sense ?f humour depend the patient’s progress. Her experience with the nurse will condition her idea of the ideal personality, her growing confidence will reflect her growing feeling of security and ability to face life afresh. We are their friends and their hope of recovery. We can bring happiness and peace to their turbulent minds and hearts, or misery and abjection. The choice is ours, and to strengthen our resolve we have His words and example who said, ” Greater love hath no man than this … “
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