Experiences of a Specialized Task Group Intervening in High-Risk Situations Within Forensic Psychiatric Care.

Abstract

Individuals who suffer from severe mental disorders and have committed crimes are cared for in forensic psychiatric care, which at times, can entail high-risk and critical situations. One clinic in Sweden has established a specialized task group that is deployed during high-risk events. The aim of the study was to describe the experiences of a specialized task group intervening in high-risk situations within forensic psychiatric care. Two focus group interviews were conducted with a total of eleven members of this task group. The data were analyzed using a content analysis. The analysis resulted in three main categories: Reflective and Professional Care, A Thoughtful and Prepared Intervention, and Working Under Doubt and Uncertainty. The most prominent findings highlight how care relationships are perceived to be affected by interventions in high-risk situations, how participation in the task group influences the professional role, and the challenges that emerge in collaboration with other healthcare staff.