The Effects of Documentary and Psychiatric Interviewing Methods in Psychiatric Nursing Education

Discrimination and stigmatization towards psychiatric patients remain significant challenges, negatively impacting both individuals' quality of life and their access to healthcare services. These attitudes are not limited to the general public but are also observed among healthcare professionals, including nursing students. Such biases can affect the quality of care provided to psychiatric patients, as nursing students often perceive these individuals as aggressive or dangerous, leading to fear and hesitation in interacting with them. However, studies have shown that clinical placements and mental health education programs can reduce these negative attitudes by fostering empathy and understanding, supporting the development of a patient-centered care approach. Psychiatric interviews and patient-centered documentaries are effective educational tools to address stigmatization and enhance empathy. Psychiatric interviews provide nursing students with structured opportunities to understand patients' biopsychosocial history, mental health needs, and coping strategies, fostering therapeutic communication skills. Similarly, documentaries featuring personal narratives of psychiatric patients help challenge stereotypes, promote empathy, and deepen students' understanding of mental illnesses. Research shows that combining such methods with academic content, concept mapping, and short films can significantly reduce stigmatization, improve social attitudes, and encourage inclusive practices in healthcare. This study investigates how psychiatric nursing students' prejudices, discriminatory attitudes, and empathy skills towards mental illnesses can be improved through the use of psychiatric interviews and documentaries. By integrating these innovative approaches into nursing education, the study aims to reduce stigmatization, enhance empathy, and equip future healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to provide inclusive, high-quality care to psychiatric patients. This initiative ultimately seeks to contribute to the long-term improvement of mental health services and patient outcomes.