Background: Despite major developments in community mental health services, inpatient care remains an important yet costly part of the service system and patients who are admitted frequently spend a long period of time in hospital. It is, therefore, crucial to have a good understanding of activities that take place on inpatient wards.
Objective: To review studies that have measured nursing and patient activity and interaction on psychiatric inpatient wards.
Data sources and review methods: This literature review was performed by searching electronic databases and hand-checking reference lists.
Results: The review identified 13 relevant studies. Most used observational methods and found that at best 50% of staff time is spent in contact with patients, and very little time is spent delivering therapeutic activities. Studies also showed that patients spend substantial time apart from staff or other patients.
Conclusion: On inpatient psychiatric wards, evidence over 35 years has found little patient activity or patient social engagement. The reasons for this trend and recommendations for the future are discussed.
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