Nurses in psychiatry spend two hours less with their patients than ten years ago. It shows an observational study conducted in six psychiatric wards in southern Sweden.

- Ten years ago, nurses spent about 3 hours and 15 minutes with their patients during a work day. Today, the average is 1 hour and 13 minutes, says Anders Glantz, who conducted the study.

The study was handled by staff from Blekinge Institute of Technology, BTH.

Can provide less security

The study shows that drug management is the job that nurses spend most time on. Also talks with relatives, arranging staffing and more practical tasks such as cleaning take up a lot of time.

What could be the consequences of reduced patient contact?

"There is a risk that patients will receive poorer nursing care, which can lead to longer recovery and a feeling of reduced security at the ward," says Andreas Glantz.

In the clip above Andreas Glantz tells more about the study.