The Psychiatric Patient: a Voice to be Heard

Abstract

Patients' view of psychiatric care and its implications is a neglected area of inquiry, partly due to ideological factors as well as structural aspects of the National Health Service. It is acknowledged that patient satisfaction per se cannot be the major goal of the Health Services, but the path to improved welfare and treatment may be facilitated by patient satisfaction or at least by an awareness of patient opinion. Further exploration of this area is recommended.

The Everyday Experience of Psychiatric the Users' Viewpoint

“…Aspects that received a negative rating from respondents included medication and the physical environment, meals, recreational activities and lack of privacy (Allen & Barton, 1976), ability to come and go freely (Corrigan, 1990) and failure to be treated as individuals (Macdonald et al 1988). Elbeck and Fecteau (1990), confirming the findings of Gordon et al (1979), that from the patients' point of view, two things above all required improvement: the staff-patient relationships and the preservation of their individuality. The results from Elzinga and Barlow (1991) '6i~dic~tc that improvements in autonomy for the patients and a greater say in the running of wards are more important factors contributing to satisfaction with life in a hospital than the physical surroundings themselves.&dquo; Allen and Barton (1976) studied the change in perception of the hospital between the time of admission and of discharge, as well as after 3, 6 and 12 months.…”

“…Patients particularly appreciated the sense of protection against stress afforded by the hospital and the living conditions, which are frequently better than those which await them outside. The psychiatric hospital can become a safe haven for individuals facing difficult living situations (Gordon et al 1979;Mayer & Rosenblatt, 1974). Patients report satisfaction with the warm and clean hospital environment (Corrigan, 1990).…”

Involving Clients in Programme Evaluation and Research: A New Methodology for Occupational Therapy

“…Clients consistently report a high degree of satisfaction with mental health services (Elbeck & Fecteau, 1990;Gehrs, 1991;Gordon, Alexander & Dietzan, 1979;Kalman, 1983;Larsen, Attkisson, Hargeaves & Nguyen, 1979;Lebow, 1983;Levois, Nguyen & Attkisson, 1981;Morphy, 1991). Clients consistently report a high degree of satisfaction with mental health services (Elbeck & Fecteau, 1990;Gehrs, 1991;Gordon, Alexander & Dietzan, 1979;Kalman, 1983;Larsen, Attkisson, Hargeaves & Nguyen, 1979;Lebow, 1983;Levois, Nguyen & Attkisson, 1981;Morphy, 1991).…”

“…Gordon, Alexander and Dietzan (1979) suggest that the opinions of clients should be actively sought and used in designing and implementing future intervention programmes. Gordon, Alexander and Dietzan (1979) suggest that the opinions of clients should be actively sought and used in designing and implementing future intervention programmes.…”

Beyond Otherness: Controllability and Location in Mental Health Service Clients’ Representations of Mental Health Problems

“…('A Single Step ', 2000 (1) It is perhaps because of this need to fight mental ill health that an important aspect of mental health services for many clients is safety: at all three services clients talked about how they saw the service as a safe haven, a day centre with security (Winter Day Centre), a refuge, a safe place (Spring Ward) and a sanctuary (Summer Day Centre). Safety is essential to the success of a mental health service, something echoed in other studies (Gordon, Alexander, & Dietzan, 1979). Clients need a safe place to begin, or to continue, their battle with mental ill health.…”