Citation

Wilson K, Eaton J, Foye U, Ellis M, Thomas E, Simpson A. Int. J. Ment. Health Nurs. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc., Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/inm.12954

PMID

34877792

Abstract

Body-Worn-Cameras (BWCs) are being introduced into Mental Health Inpatient Units. At present, minimal evidence surrounding their use in a mental health environment exists. This review examined research on the uses of BWCs in public sector services including healthcare, public transportation, and law enforcement. All eligible studies included a visible BWC, recording on a continuous loop as the main intervention. The evidence base presented high levels of bias, highly varied camera protocols, and heterogeneity of outcome measurements. This review found there is limited evidence for the efficacy of BWCs to control and manage violence within mental health inpatient wards. The technology has shown to be effective in reducing the number of public complaints in a law enforcement setting, but it is unclear how this is achieved. It appears there may be potential beneficial uses and unintended consequences of BWCs yet to be explored by mental health services.

Language: en

Keywords

mental health; de-escalation; security; body worn cameras; public sector services