Bakgrund: Enligt Socialstyrelsen drabbar ofrivillig barnlöshet omkring 10-15 % av alla par i Sverige. Vanliga orsaker till infertilitet kan vara skador på äggledarna eller för lågt antal spermier.  Kvinnor och män kan reagera olika på beskedet kring infertilitet. Det är viktigt som sjuksköterska att ha förståelse för hur kvinnor och män upplever problemet. Syfte: Att belysa kvinnor och mäns upplevelser av ofrivillig barnlöshet. Metod: I litteraturstudien har nio kvalitativa artiklar granskats och analyserats. Artiklarna valdes ut ifrån databaserna CINAHL och PubMed. Resultat: Resultatet delades in i sju kategorier: meningen med livet, att längta efter barn, att känna utanförskap, att känna förändringar i förhållandet, att stötta och känna stöd och att gå vidare i livet utan barn. Slutsats: Litteraturstudiens resultat visade på både likheter och skillnader bland kvinnor och mäns upplevelser av infertilitet. Längtan efter föräldraskap, en social press att skaffa barn och känslan av utanförskap var vanligt. Det är viktigt som sjuksköterska att ha förståelse och kunskap om individers upplevelser och att de kan skilja sig åt. Det finns ett behov av fortsatt forskning inom ämnet. / Background: According to Socialstyrelsen 10-15 % of all couples in Sweden is affected by involuntary childlessness. Common causes of infertility can be injuries on the fallopian tube or a low sperm count. Women and men can react differently to the information about the infertility. As a nurse it is important to have an understanding about how women and men perceive this problem. Aim: To illustrate the lived experience of involuntary childlessness among women and men. Method: In this literature study nine qualitative studies have been compiled and analyzed. The articles were chosen from CINAHL and PubMed data bases. Result: The result was sorted in seven categories: the meaning of life, to be longing for children, to feel exclusion, to feel changes in the relationship, to support and to feel supported and to carry on life without children. Conclusion: The result of the literature study indicated similarities and differences in the lived experience of infertility among women and men. Desire for parenthood, a social pressure to conceive a child and feelings of alienation was commonly mentioned. As a nurse, it is important to have an understanding and knowledge about how the experience of infertility can differ among individuals. Further research on the subject is needed.

ABSTRACT Rationale: Respiratory insufficiency is one of the most common causes of death in patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Due to weakness and cognitive level, children with NMD often cannot perform required maneuvers to recruit lung volume. Data from cooperative adults suggest that breath stacking with a mask and one-way valve can obtain significantly higher lung volumes. Methods: To study the effectiveness of a breath stacking mask in patients with NMD, we studied 23 children (17 male, 6 female) over 3 years, mean age 11 y (range 3-19 y) and body mass 43.8 kg (range 12-80 kg). Fifteen were cognitively aware and able to communicate verbally. For involuntary breath stacking a one-way valve and pneumotach were attached to a cushioned mask that was held to the face, covering around nose and mouth with a tight seal. Flow signals were acquired to computer (AcqKnowledge BIOPAC Inc.). Tidal volumes (Vt) and minute ventilation (VE) were calculated from the recording for 30 s before and 30 s after 15 s of valve closure during which expiration was prevented. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) was measured. Results: The mean Vt before valve closure was 277 ml (range 29-598 ml). The mean increase in volume by stacking was 599 ± 558 ml (range -140 to 2,916 ml). When normalized to body mass, mean increase above normal end inspiratory level was 14.7 ± 14.7 ml/kg (range -2.7 to 52.2 ml/kg). The mean number of stacked breaths was 4.5 ± 3.6 (range 0-17). VE increased on average by 18% after stacking (p<0.05, paired t-test). There was no change in SaO2 after stacking. Four of the 23 children did not stack. Conclusions: Our findings show that breath stacking with a mask and a one-way valve can achieve breath volumes approximately 3x Vt. The mask was tolerated well, and cooperation of the child was not required.

Despite the many advances of medical technology to help treat infertility, approximately half of women seeking fertility treatment will never give birth to a child. Women coping with treatment failure face many challenges, including deciding when to abandon treatment and how to let go of their dreams of having a baby to focus on other pursuits. In order to better understand how women cope with these challenges, in depth interviews and a focus group were carried out with 12 women for whom fertility treatment had not been successful. Data was gathered and analysed using Grounded Theory, and a model of the process of adjustment from pursuing treatment to coming to terms with involuntary childlessness was co-constructed from the data. The model conceptualizes women's journey as moving through three main phases; 'living in limbo' in which women are still undergoing treatment, 'leaving treatment' in which women decide to terminate treatment and abandon the search for a resolution to their infertility, and finally 'learning to live with involuntary childlessness' in which women start the 'work' of grappling with the questions that childlessness seems to raise about the meaning of their lives, their identity and self image, and their sense of social belonging. The model goes on to highlight the factors which seem to aid women in resolving these challenges. The findings of this study suggest that the emotional challenges of coping with unsuccessful fertility treatment extend well beyond the end of treatment, highlighting the need for good access to therapeutic support for women coping with involuntary childlessness longer term. Results also point to certain sources and types of support which may be particularly helpful, including peer support from other childless women, and therapeutic interventions which help women develop more positive perspectives on childlessness and to identify alternative sources of fulfillment. The results of this study also point to the need for social action which works to challenge the misconceptions and stigma surrounding infertility and childlessness which add a further challenge to the lives of women who are involuntarily childless.

ANDRADE, B. R. Compreensão da problemática da periferização por segregação involuntária no planejamento da acessibilidade e mobilidade em Fortaleza. 2016. 114 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia de Transportes)-Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2016. / Submitted by Zacarias Barbosa Matias Junior (zaca@det.ufc.br) on 2017-08-09T14:18:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_ brandrade.pdf: 5384208 bytes, checksum: 1709f20bef2e3b06dcf7310b3764e2d5 (MD5) / Rejected by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br), reason: Prezada Beatriz, Falta ainda ser corrigido em sua dissertação: 1. Na Ficha catalográfica corrigir no titulo o uso de caixa alta: somente a primeira letra do título, substantivos próprios ou siglas (se houver) devem ser maiúscula, conforme está na aba: instruções de preenchimento do formulário disponível em: http://fichacatalografica.ufc.br/ 2. O que significa colocar na lista de figuras Erro! Indicador não definido? Faz parte do seu trabalho? Se não, por favor retire. 3. No sumário a ABNT recomenda o uso de algarismos arábicos. Ex. 3.3.1.a deve ser 3.3.1.1 em 3.3.1.b deve ser 3.3.1.2 No sumário retirar a pontuação no final na numeração. Ex. 1 INTRODUÇÃO No sumário verificar o alinhamento a esquerda, uso de negrito, maiúsculo e itálico nas seções. Veja modelo no template disponível em: http://www.biblioteca.ufc.br/educacao-de-usuarios/1234-templates 4. Na lista de REFERÊNCIAS a palavra deve ser centralizada na folha O sobrenome dos autores são em caixa alta e o ano da publicação é no final e não vizinho ao nome. Você deve adequar suas referencias a cada tipo de material conforme está no template. Por ex. quando referenciamos artigos de periódicos o que fica em negrito não é o título do trabalho e sim o nome da revista. A citação de volume, numero e paginas deve ser abreviado v. n. p. Veja pelo template como referenciar cada tipo de material e corrija em toda a lista. Atenciosamente, Marlene Rocha mmarlene@ufc.br 3366-9620 on 2017-08-10T16:51:37Z (GMT) / Submitted by Zacarias Barbosa Matias Junior (zaca@det.ufc.br) on 2017-08-16T12:46:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_ brandrade.pdf: 5580455 bytes, checksum: 255e1f0d018121c22b9a0f2f8fa8d6ad (MD5) / Rejected by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br), reason: Prezada Beatriz, Falta alterar o sumário para atender as normas da ABNT. Vou tentar explicar melhor. 1. A partir do item 2 como continua em outra linha, vc deve colocar a palavra segregação embaixo da letra I de Identificação e não retornar para baixo do numeral 2. Então, sempre que não couber na mesma linha a continuação é logo abaixo da margem da linha de cima. Ex. 2.2 Residencial deve ficar na margem da palavra Contextualização e assim também, em toda a lista. 2. Em 3.3.1.a Medida fica na mesma margem da palavra modelo da linha de cima. 3. O sumário fica todo em negrito com exceção da seção quaternárias ( com 4 dígitos) que fica só em itálico e sem negrito. Ex. 3.3.1.a Att. Marlene Rocha 3366-9620 on 2017-08-16T17:03:16Z (GMT) / Submitted by Zacarias Barbosa Matias Junior (zaca@det.ufc.br) on 2017-08-28T16:54:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_ brandrade.pdf: 5552146 bytes, checksum: 83650abc3a8472d8d5de0ab6bfb5ced9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2017-08-28T19:34:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_ brandrade.pdf: 5552146 bytes, checksum: 83650abc3a8472d8d5de0ab6bfb5ced9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-28T19:34:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_ brandrade.pdf: 5552146 bytes, checksum: 83650abc3a8472d8d5de0ab6bfb5ced9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-31 / The phenomenon of the peripheralization, one of the largest urban problems today, restricts the share of the population that lives in urban fringes to actively participate in the Urbis as an area of social, political and economic exchanges, that is, directly impacts in the accessibility of people to activities they want accomplish in urban space. Depending on the amount and intensity of the restrictions imposed on a group disability in their levels of accessibility and mobility can generate a scenario of social exclusion, which makes the low-income population that inhabits the periphery (involuntary segregation) a risk group. In this master's research, to achieve the overall objective to understand the marginal involuntary segregation in Fortaleza through of the integrated problematic modeling, benefited from a necessary systematization of integrated planning process of accessibility and urban mobility, that is highlighted in three areas: theoretical and conceptual (through conceptual model ALUTI), methodological and operational. Considering the complexity of the studied phenomenon, to systematize operationally problematic and assist primarily in the diagnosis stage (prognosis and assessment scenario), the computing platform TRANUS was used, which bolstered the modeling of the indicators used to characterize involuntary peripheralization and diagnose the causal links between this problem, that is embodied in the subsystem of land use, and levels of accessibility and mobility of low population income living in these conditions segregation. / O fenômeno da periferização, um dos maiores problemas urbanos da atualidade, restringe a parcela da população que vive nas franjas urbanas a participar ativamente da urbis enquanto espaço de trocas sociais, políticas e econômicas, ou seja, impacta diretamente na acessibilidade das pessoas às atividades que desejam realizar no espaço urbano. A depender da quantidade e intensidade das restrições impostas a um grupo, a deficiência nos seus níveis de acessibilidade e de mobilidade pode gerar um cenário de exclusão social, o que faz da população de baixa renda que habita a periferia (segregação involuntária) um grupo de risco. Nesta pesquisa de mestrado, para atingir o objetivo geral de compreender a periferização por segregação involuntária em Fortaleza através da modelagem integrada dessa problemática, beneficiou-se de uma necessária sistematização do processo de planejamento integrado da acessibilidade e mobilidade urbanas, sendo ela destacada em três vertentes: teórico-conceitual (através de modelo conceitual ALUTI), metodológica e operacional. Considerando a complexidade do fenômeno estudado, para sistematizar operacionalmente a problemática e auxiliar principalmente na etapa de diagnóstico (prognóstico e avaliação de cenário), foi utilizada a plataforma computacional Tranus (modelo de localização de atividades, distribuição espacial do uso do solo, assim como de demanda e oferta de transportes), a qual amparou a modelagem dos indicadores utilizados para caracterizar a periferização involuntária e diagnosticar as relações causais entre essa problemática, que se materializa no subsistema de uso do solo, e os níveis de acessibilidade e mobilidade da população de baixa renda que vive nessas condições de segregação.

Capturing life as it is lived is an important goal in psychology, and diary methods are commonly used for this purpose. They capture events near the time of their occurrence and are less prone to retrospective biases associated with questionnaire, interview and survey methods. However, participants in diary studies must remember to carry the diary with them, and find it convenient to make entries in timely fashion. New approaches, replacing paper diaries with technology (e.g. personal digital assistants), can overcome forgetting to make entries and retrospective filling of data. However, until recently technology had its own problems (e.g. unreliability and cost of devices, the need for training, biases of technical competence, etc.). The research described in this dissertation arose from the anticipation that the rapid, worldwide growth of smartphone ownership would overcome many of these limitations since participant-owned smartphone diaries can eliminate associated costs and facilitate increased rates of compliance. Six diary studies were conducted on two transient cognitive phenomena. Initially, a smartphone app was developed and compared with a paper diary in the study of involuntary autobiographical memories. Although participants in the smartphone-diary condition demonstrated significantly better compliance than those in the paper-diary condition by reliably carrying their smartphones, and promptly completing diary entries in the app, they recorded significantly fewer events than paper diary users. To test that this unexpected finding was not specific to involuntary autobiographical memories, the method was tested with everyday memory failures, and the same unexpected finding was obtained. Further studies manipulated the length of diary-keeping period and demonstrated a diary entry rate reduction effect with longer diary keeping periods, an effect seen in both paper- and participant-owned smartphone-diaries. For involuntary autobiographical memories, the effect was demonstrated by comparing 1-day and 7-day diaries, and also by using a 30-40 minutelong digital audio recording method. With everyday memory failures, the effect was demonstrated by comparing 7-day and 28-day diaries. The audio recording method was used to capture involuntary autobiographical memories while driving. It was also used on a campus walk and compared with a 1-day paper diary within-subjects, finding a higher rate of recording in the shorter period, and consistency of memory counts across two modes of recording. This novel audio-recording method facilitated much more detailed analysis of involuntary memory cues and chaining and enabled the evaluation of potential instances of priming. Finally, a telephone and postal-based diary study of everyday memory failures demonstrated the feasibility of recruitment and measurement of participants remotely, which can be particularly useful with older adults. Taken together, the results of this research make a significant methodological contribution to research on transient everyday cognitive phenomena by showing that (1) care is needed when using participant-owned smartphone diaries, (2) paper diaries may be more reliable than currently given credit, and (3) diary-recording periods can be substantially reduced without compromising the quantity and the quality of data obtained. In addition, results increase our theoretical understanding of two specific phenomena studied in this dissertation: involuntary autobiographical memories and everyday memory failures. The findings indicate that involuntary memories are much more frequent than previously thought, may represent a stable characteristic of a person and, in addition to immediately present cues, can be elicited by internal memory chaining process and more distant priming of events and thoughts. Finally, the absence of age effects in the frequency and nature of recorded everyday memory failures, together with significant negative age effects in laboratory tests of memory and cognition, is a novel finding that has significant implications for research on cognitive ageing.

Drug-induced tardive dyskinesia, an irreversible involuntary movement disorder caused by neuroleptic drugs, may reflect cholinergic hypofunction in the corpus striatum. Therapeutic results have been reported in trials of choline and lecithin, nutritional substrates which may enhance cholinergic neurotransmission. Lecithin's effects on dyskinetic symptoms were examined in 50 male patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups; 31 patients were retained in the analytic cohort. Experimental patients were treated with 60 gm/day lecithin (55% phosphatidyl choline) for 11 days. Symptom frequency was rated from videotapes made at baseline, 3 and 11 days of treatment, and 1 week follow-up.

Bakgrund: All vård och behandling bör tillämpas med respekt för patientens autonomi och integritet. Patienter med en allvarlig psykisk störning tvångsvårdas efter stöd av lagen om psykiatrisk tvångsvård. Tvångsvård kan begränsa patienters delaktighet och självbestämmande då de inte längre kan vara lika självständiga. Detta kan då leda till en maktposition och ett stort ansvar för vårdpersonalen. Tvångsvård kan även skapa ett lidande för patienterna. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturöversikten var att beskriva patienters upplevelser av tvångsvård. Metod: Litteraturöversikt enligt Friberg innebär att relevanta artiklar har sökts och hittats. De sökorden som valts är: coercive treatment, coercive care, coercive measures, compulsory treatment, psychiatric care, involuntary treatment, experiences, qualitative, forensic care, coercion och patient. Nio artiklar har använts. Artiklarna hämtades från databaserna CINAHL Complete, PubMed och PsycINFO. Resultat: Patienterna upplevde tvångsvård som både positivt och negativt. Patienterna beskrev att upplevelsen av tvångsvård berodde på vårdpersonalens bemötande mot patienterna. Patienterna upplevde att tvångsvården var som att förlora autonomin och integriteten, att det var brist på information, att de blev/inte blev värdigt bemötta och att det var brist på respekt från vårdpersonalen. Diskussion: I diskussionen lyfts Phil Barkers teori om tidvattenmodellen då den användes som teoretisk utgångspunkt. Barkers beskriver att sjuksköterskans uppgift är att öka patientens delaktighet och återhämtning samt förbereda de till att bli självständiga individer i samhället. Resultatet till litteraturöversikten visade att patienterna upplevde tvångsvård som en kränkning mot deras autonomi. Detta stämmer överens med Barkers teori där det är viktigt att respektera patienters behov och önskningar för att förstärka autonomin. / Background: All care and treatment should be applied in accordance with the patient's autonomy and integrity. Patients with a serious mental disorder are forced to receive compulsion under the law on psychiatric care. Involuntary treatment can limit patients' involvement and autonomy as they can no longer be as independent. This can then lead to a position of power and a major responsibility for healthcare professionals. Involuntary treatment can also lead to suffering for patients. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe patients’ experiences of involuntary treatment. Method: Literature review according to Friberg which means that relevant articles have been sought and found. The keywords chosen are: coercive treatment, coercive care, coercive measures, compulsory treatment, psychiatric care, involuntary treatment, experiences, qualitative, forensic care, coercion and patient. Nine qualitative studies have been used. The studies retrieved from databases as CINAHL Complete, PubMed and PsycINFO. Results: Patients experienced compulsive care as both positive and negative. Patients described that the perception of compulsive care was due to the care staff's response to patients. Patients felt that involuntary treatment was like losing their own autonomy and integrity, it was lack of information and they experienced not being enough dignified. Patients also experienced lack of respect from the healthcare professionals. Discussion: Phil Barker's theory about the tidal model was used as a theoretical frame of reference. Barker describes that nurse's task is to increase patient participation and recovery and prepare them to become independent individuals in society. The result of the literature review showed that some patients experienced involuntary treatment as a violation of their autonomy. This is in line with Barker's theory where it is important to respect the needs and desires of patients to increase their autonomy.

Esta pesquisa teve como proposta discutir a respeito dos custos sociais nos empreendimentos hidrelétricos, com base em uma análise teórica a respeito do tratamento concedido às populações afetadas por Usinas Hidrelétricas (UHEs), quando se abordam questões como indenização e compensação financeira dos meios de sobrevivência. No primeiro momento, fez-se um breve levantamento bibliográfico sobre o conceito de custos sociais e a política energética da dam industry. Posteriormente, realizou-se um Estudo de Caso da UHE de Irapé (MG), com um breve relato sobre o processo ambiental para a obtenção da Licença Prévia (LP), Licença de Instalação (LI) e Licença de Operação (LO), assim como o desenvolvimento do Termo de Ajustamento de Conduta (TAC) depois denominado de Termo de Acordo (TA). Na prática, tentou-se perceber como foi o acordado entre a CEMIG e a população e o realizado pela população, perante dados obtidos por meio de pesquisa de campo. Por meio desses dados, buscou-se uma contraposição entre o discurso técnico e o saber local para a formação do custo social nos empreendimentos hidrelétricos. É importante ressaltar que na presente pesquisa foi realizada uma análise de documentos. Isso equivale a dizer que não se pretende generalizar o caso apresentado, apenas apontar especificidades, a fim de se questionar as totalidades. / The purpose of this research was to apresented what are the social costs in hydroelectric plants, from a theoretical analysis of how populations are affected by Power Plants (HPPs) are treated when, we talk about compensation and compensating financial means of survival, according to the Brazilian constitution are social rights of any Brazilian access to education, health, work, housing, leisure. The data acquired from the Energy Company of Minas Gerais (Cemig), allow questions about the relationship between entrepreneurial and involuntarily displaced population. First, it made a brief literature review on the concept of \"social costs\" and energy policy of \"dam industry. It was later made a case study of UHE Plant, MG, with a brief account of the environmental process for obtaining the Preliminary License (LP), Installation License (LI) and Operation License (LO) and the development of the Term of Conduct Adjustment (TAC) after called the Settlement Agreement (TA). We tried to realize in practice, as was planned by Cemig and lived by the population today before data obtained from field research. In addition, research also shows some testimonials of people who live in the region that were affected as well as the technicians of the Federation State of the Environment (FEAM) who participated in the development and monitoring of the Settlement Agreement and the representatives of the entrepreneur. Using these data, we sought a contrast between the technical discourse and local knowledge for the formation of social cost in hydroelectric projects. Importantly, this research is an analysis of documents. That is to say that it is not intended to generalize the presented case, only specific point in order to question the totalities.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-03-28T11:30:57Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Cleuber Pereira da Cruz - 2015.pdf: 1386331 bytes, checksum: f31985ca1883ca0bc574ab80a80d58ab (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-03-28T11:40:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Cleuber Pereira da Cruz - 2015.pdf: 1386331 bytes, checksum: f31985ca1883ca0bc574ab80a80d58ab (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-28T11:40:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Cleuber Pereira da Cruz - 2015.pdf: 1386331 bytes, checksum: f31985ca1883ca0bc574ab80a80d58ab (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This research comes to detailing the operation of voluntary and involuntary phonic mechanisms and processes, with the theoretical basis of Boone & McFarlane’s studies (1994); discussions of the interrelationships with other disciplines, aimed at enhancing the teaching of singing; and the investigation of ways of how to stimulate the creativity of the teacher in adapting and creating vocalizes and exercises, that these are only suggestions for the teaching area. Resulted from the reading, reflection and composition of a Corpus of Texts (BAUER and GASKELL, 2003, p. 496), which allowed elaborate justifications for each exercise and presented vocalize. Having chosen the set of texts that constitute this study the data used, it is expected that the analysis of five proposed exercises and vocalizes, promote the extension of discussions on the Teaching of Singing, with a view to improvement of vocal preparation singer. It should be noted, in conclusion, that there is a need for more publications and descriptions of teaching methodologies in this area. / Essa pesquisa trata de detalhar o funcionamento dos mecanismos e processos fônicos voluntários e involuntários, tendo como base teórica os textos de Boone e McFarlane (1994); as discussões das inter-relações do canto com outras disciplinas, visando valorizar o ensino do canto; e a investigação das formas de como estimular a criatividade do professor na adaptação e criação de vocalizes e exercícios, que se tratam de apenas sugestões para a área de ensino do canto. Resultou da leitura, reflexão e composição de um Corpus de Textos ( BAUER e GASKELL, 2003, p. 496), que possibilitou elaborar justificativas para cada exercício e vocalize apresentado. Tendo escolhido o conjunto de textos, que constituem neste estudo os dados que foram utilizados, espera-se que a análise dos 5 exercícios e vocalizes propostos, promova o alargamento da discussões sobre a Didática do Canto, tendo em vista a melhora da preparação vocal do cantor. Ressalta-se, como conclusão, que há uma necessidade de mais publicações e descrições de metodologias de ensino nesta área.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Background: The integration of mental health into primary health care meant that patients were admitted into a less restrictive environment. They received treatment for mental illness in their communities, therefore, averting unnecessary hospitalisation in psychiatric hospitals. However, given that patients with mental illnesses were admitted to district hospitals as involuntary mental health care users (MHCUs), this setting was purported to be fraught with challenges for both staff and patients. Aim and objectives: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses, working at selected district hospitals in the Western Cape metropole, where 72-hour assessments of involuntary mental health care users are conducted. The objectives of this study were to determine how the 72-hour unit functioned in the general ward, the experiences of professional nurses regarding the integration of the 72-hour assessment units in the general ward and suggested improvements. Methodology: A qualitative research approach, with a descriptive phenomenological design, was used to collect data through semi-structured interviews from eight (8) professional nurses, working in the two selected district hospitals in the Cape Town metropole area. Purposive sampling was employed to select the participants. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of qualitative data analysis. Four themes, namely, patient management process affected the functioning of the ward, patient management challenges in rendering patient care, burden of caring on the Self, and staff and patient support to create a therapeutic environment, emerged during data analysis, which encapsulated the nurse's experience of working in 72-hour assessment units in selected district hospitals. Findings: The findings of this revealed that the district hospitals were ill prepared for the admission of involuntary mental health care users. There were challenges, in terms of resources, namely, infrastructure to create a therapeutic environment, knowledgeable and skilled staff to care for the MHCUs. The MHCUs were contained in the district hospitals for longer than was legislated, rather than receiving therapeutic interventions at psychiatric facilities. Needs were identified to improve the functioning of the 72-hour assessment units, which included education and training of personnel, Discussion: The non-therapeutic environment had a negative impact on the staff working in the 72-hour assessment units. Nursing staff were burdened with caring for patients in an environment where they, as well as the MHCUs, were stigmatised due to the diagnosis of mental illness. However, the participants internalised their own experiences, as they prioritised the MHCUs well-being. The findings supported previous studies, which revealed that the objectives of the Mental Health Care Act (No. 17 of 2002), which supported the integration of mental health into primary health care, were not realised after more than a decade of implementation. Recommendations: Given the limited scope of this thesis, replications of this study in other district hospitals are recommended, in order to ascertain whether the objectives of the MHCA (2002), regarding 72-hour assessments, have been realised. A therapeutic environment, which includes infrastructure and resources to ensure that MHCUs receive care, treatment and rehabilitation within the district hospitals, is required. The recruitment and retention of adequate, skilled permanent staff is crucial, to ensure that MHCUs receive care, treatment and rehabilitation. Finally, the training and education of all personnel (including security) working in the selected district hospitals should be mandatory, in order to address patient care and stigma related to mental illness.