Patients experiences of services and their delivers, in an acute psychiatric ward

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present a picture of life in an acute in-patient psychiatric ward by investigating patients' subjective experiences of the care they received and their perceptions of the delivery of that care. A qualitative methodology was adopted and ten semi structured interviews were carried out. The respondents were part of a purposive sample and the interview schedule was developed after a thorough literature search highlighted key areas to be raised in the study. A process of thematic analysis revealed that three major themes emerged from the experiences of the participants; these were interpersonal factors, environmental factors and factors related to information. Collectively these themes defined the participants' experiences and perceptions of acute in-patient psychiatric care. The results of the study confirmed that of many other international surveys. That is, that for some people their experience as an in-patient in an acute psychiatric ward provided treatment and support that met their needs. For many others however, various experiences and perceptions made their encounter with acute psychiatric services less than therapeutic. The responses of the participants were assimilated and later underpinned the basis of recommendations for future service policy, design and delivery.