Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Mar 21, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Mar 21, 2025 - May 16, 2025
Date Accepted: Aug 31, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Effects of the violence prevention intervention TERMA in forensic psychiatric inpatient care: protocol for an observational study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Aggression and violence are prevalent in forensic psychiatric inpatient care. These behaviours significantly impact treatment outcomes, work environments for staff, and strain relationships among patients and caregivers. Managing such behaviours poses a formidable challenge that necessitates innovative approaches and evidence-based interventions.
Objective:
The aim of this project is to evaluate the violence prevention method Therapeutic Meeting with Aggression (TERMA) regarding perceived safety by patients and staff and adverse events within forensic psychiatric inpatient care. Additionally, the project will investigate whether the organisational culture affect the implementation of the TERMA method.
Methods:
The project includes an observational study with a before and after design. Implementation of TERMA consists of an eight-seminar staff training program. Data sources include questionnaires, medical records, and registries. Quantitative data will be analysed with descriptive and comparative statistics. The project will also include qualitative interview studies.
Results:
Participant enrollment began in February 2024 and will continue through 2025. Data collection and analysis are expected to be completed by early 2026, after which the study findings will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Conclusions:
Patients and staff at a forensic psychiatry inpatient facility in Western Sweden. Clinical Trial: NCT05932108
Citation
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Copyright
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