[Privacy within psychiatric wards].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Privacy within psychiatric wards should be evaluated from the patient's point of view. METHODS: Different aspects of privacy were assessed by a self-rating scale given to all patients of a psychiatric hospital at a qualifying date. RESULTS: The adjusted response rate was 74.5 %. By means of a factor analysis, four factors were extracted: Intimacy, sexual restriction, discretion, and care. A lack of discretion when entering the patient's room were reported by more than 80 % of patients, disturbances of intimacy by nearly 25 %. Disturbances by patients or staff when taking a shower were especially found bothersome. 15 % of patients reported about being touched by patients or staff against their will. CONCLUSIONS: Disturbances of privacy play an important role in psychiatric wards. The therapeutic team should be aware of these findings and should pay attention to preserve patient's privacy during inpatient care.