Psychiatric care staff's and care associates’ perceptions of the concept of quality of care: a qualitative study

Abstract

Quality of care is a multidimensional concept and has been given different meanings in the literature. The aim in the present study was to describe how the psychiatric care staff and care associates perceived the concept of quality of care in the case of psychiatric care. Ten staff and 10 associates were interviewed. Qualitative method with a phenomenographic approach was used for the analysis. Four descriptive categories emerged: The patient's dignity is respected, The patient's participation in the care, The patient's recovery, and The patient's care environment plays an important role. Quality of care was perceived as a positive concept and as being of great importance for the patient's health and conditions of living. The results were of importance with regard to the forthcoming development of an instrument to measure the quality of psychiatric care.

The Quality in Psychiatric Care-Forensic In-Patient Staff (QPC-FIPS) instrument: Psychometric properties and staff views of the quality of forensic psychiatric services in Sweden

“…Therefore, there is a notable and serious finding in this study that the lowest ratings were reported in the secure-environment dimension, as it means that about half of the staff don't perceive that the ward atmosphere is secure for the patients. This finding emphasizes previous studies in which staff describe security in the psychiatric ward environment as important [42,47] to enable patients to feel secure in the ward environment [42].…”

“…This is not an unexpected finding, as the secluded environment has been identified as an important aspect for quality of psychiatric care from the staff's perspective [41,42]. In a previous interview study, the staff described good quality in psychiatric care as the patient having access to a personal space where he or she can be left in peace [42]. In addition, it can be argued that in the psychiatric care context, it is important that patients are satisfied with the secluded aspect of the environment, as dissatisfaction with the physical environment can trigger aggressive be-havior [43].…”

“…However, the highest rating of quality of care was found for the secluded-environment dimension. This is not an unexpected finding, as the secluded environment has been identified as an important aspect for quality of psychiatric care from the staff's perspective [41,42]. In a previous interview study, the staff described good quality in psychiatric care as the patient having access to a personal space where he or she can be left in peace [42].…”

Next of kin's conceptions of the quality of care in the psychiatric setting: A phenomenographic study

“…Two previous studies (Schröder et al . 2006; Schröder & Ahlström 2004) and the present study all show, despite the differences in perspective, that the concept of quality of care in psychiatric care is perceived in similar terms. In spite of this similarity, however, care staff should not neglect the need to be sensitive to differences between how the patient perceives the quality of care and how the next of kin do.…”

Reducing or Increasing Violence in Forensic Care: A Qualitative Study of Inpatient Experiences

“…To be able to relax and get well, the participants preferred a calm and safe atmosphere. Accordingly, previous studies in psychiatric care have described the need to be aware of the importance of a calm and secure ward atmosphere (Bressington, Stewart, Beer, & MacInnes, 2011;Brunt & Rask, 2007;Schröder & Ahlström, 2004;van der Scaaf, Dusseldorp, Keuning, Janssen, & Noorthoorn, 2013). Moreover, nursing staff in forensic psychiatric care have described the advantages of working in a calm and safe care environment.…”