OBSERVATIONS OF THE OBSERVED - A STUDY OF INPATIENTS PERCEPTION OF BEING OBSERVED

Objective: Examination of the process of therapeutic observation, as p erformed by nursing staff on acute assessment wards, from the perspect ive of adult inpatients. Method: One week after admission, patients we re asked to complete a questionnaire, enquiring whether they had notic ed their observation, and the extent to which they found it intrusive. Diagnoses were categorised by ICD-9, from the case-notes. Chi-square was used to analyse the results. Results: Fifty six per cent of patien ts perceived changes in the intensity of their observation, Psychotic patients were significantly more likely than the rest (p = 0.016) to f eel that they were observed too closely, despite not being uncomfortab le with this, There was a trend for patients in the traditional psychi atric hospital to feel more discomfort than those on a psychiatric war d in the district general hospital (p = 0.12). Conclusion: Respect for privacy and dignity may not entirely be attainable for the most vulne rable group of psychotic patients, Opportunities may exist to improve matters with the closure of asylums and attention to ward layout and d esign.