Through the eye of the beholder: to seclude or not to seclude.

The objective of this study is to provide new knowledge and understanding of the decision making used throughout the seclusion process. Seven mental health nurses and one doctor were each interviewed within 48 hours of making the decision to seclude a patient. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. This study provides valuable information regarding factors that are central to, and/or influence, the decision-making process surrounding seclusion. More importantly, the results demonstrate that seclusion is initiated only when all other less restrictive patient management strategies have proven to be unsuccessful with the patient.