Patients' views of the ward environment in a mental hospital

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the patients' views regarding their ward environment at Mount Carmel Hospital. This study was conducted by applying a qualitative research design. The data was collected by conducting a semi-structured interview with nine patients who were or had been hospitalised for a minimum period of two weeks at the Mixed Admission Ward of Mount Carmel Hospital. After, a thorough literature understanding, the researcher himself with the help of his dissertation supervisor designed the interview schedule. A Maltese and English version of the interview schedule was prepared to address both the English and Maltese speaking patients. To transcribe the data, the researcher listened for several times to the audio taped interviews. While reading the interview transcriptions, an in depth analysis was made and consequently three emergent themes were identified. The main findings of this study were that there are several factors that affect the patients' general perception of their ward environment. Amongst these factors surfaced the influences of the other patients present in the ward, the ward's physical environment and the nurses and their care. All the participants showed their concern about their ward environment and hence such findings suggested the importance of a positive ward environment to facilitate their healing experience. These research findings also helped to create awareness about the importance of providing the psychiatric patients the adequate dignity and opportunities to voice their feelings. Finally, this research study enhances the insight into psychiatric patients' lives. It also recommends ways of how the psychiatric ward environment could be improved in the future.