Nurse faculty perceptions regarding psychiatric-mental health nursing behavioural interventions : a cross-cultural comparison

Mental disorders are internationally responsible for significant disease burden and disability. However, limited cross-culturally comparisons, related to psychiatric-mental health nurses and the care they deliver, have been conducted. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to present information obtained from nurse faculty from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the USA (State of Hawaii) about: a) titles and educational preparation of the psychiatric-mental health nurses; b) the role and perception of others about the psychiatric-mental health nurses; c) nursing behavioral interventions, including medications; d) length of stay of hospitalized psychiatric patients; e) leading mental health problems; and, f) the profile of the population with a mental illness.The findings reflect diversity in the role and educational preparation of psychiatric-mental health nurses, as well as how psychiatric-mental health patients are treated.