Strategies Employed by Forensic Community Mental Health Nurses to Resolve Difficulties in Supporting Offenders With Mental Disorders Under the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act in Japan

Objective This study aimed to identify the strategies used by forensic community mental health nurses to resolve difficulties in supporting offenders with mental disorders under the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act in Japan. Method Interviews were conducted with 13 nurses, and the data were analyzed using content analysis. Results The study identified the strategies for difficulties in (a) assessing and managing risk potential of forensic service patients, (b) addressing offending behavior, (c) managing the transition of patients, (d) supporting patients to understand the impact of justice processes and applying knowledge of legislation to nursing, and (e) promoting the role of forensic community mental health nurses within the multidisciplinary team. Conclusions The findings can benefit and support forensic community mental health nurses' practices. The Japanese forensic community mental health nurses experiencing difficulties and providing home visits to patients can utilize the identified strategies.