The therapeutic needs of psychiatric in-patients with psychosis: A qualitative exploration of patient and staff perspectives

BACKGROUND: Concerns are recurrently expressed that the therapeutic content of in-patient care is limited and lacking clear guidance. The perspectives of patients and staff regarding therapeutic priorities for psychiatric in-patient care have been little explored and compared. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine patient and staff perspectives on the care priorities of psychiatric in-patients with psychosis. METHOD: We recruited 12 in-patients with psychosis and 12 multidisciplinary team staff. All participants undertook a semi-structured interview examining their perspectives on the therapeutic needs of people with psychosis during admission. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis conducted. RESULTS: Three superordinate themes arose from patient interviews: ‘the importance of considering social circumstances and trauma’, ‘managing the intra- and interpersonal impact of psychosis’ and ‘lack of control and collaboration in care’ and three from staff interviews: ‘multidisciplinary facilitators of care’, ‘treating complexity and incorporating social factors’ and ‘restrictive practices preventing quality care provision’. Comparison of patient and staff themes identified unmet needs in addressing social marginalisation, trauma and distress, and the importance of collaborative treatment process and inclusion of spirituality. CONCLUSIONS: There are gaps between staff and patient perspectives on important priorities for in-patient care that may help explain persistent patient dissatisfaction with in-patient care. Findings suggest the need for coproduced work to develop and test interventions that address broader therapeutic priorities. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.