User Designed Psychiatric Wards (PSYwithUS)
To develop a prototype of an acute psychiatric ward from the perspective of users, a research plan is being implemented in a multi-stage process with all participants in all phases on an equal basis.
Factsheet
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Schools involved
School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
School of Health Professions - Institute(s) Nursing
- Research unit(s) Innovation in the Field of Mental Health and Psychiatric Care
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Caring Society"
- Funding organisation BFH
- Duration 01.03.2024 - 31.01.2025
- Head of project Dr. Christian Burr
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Project staff
Sabine Rühle Andersson
Claude Spiller
Andrea Zwicknagl
Elke Reitmayer - Keywords Safe space, mental health, acute psychiatry, UN CRPD, user involvement, architecture, design, participation
Situation
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and corresponding guidelines from the WHO, among others, call for the minimisation of coercion in psychiatry and the active participation of users in the further development of psychiatric services. Acute psychiatry in Switzerland still falls well short of these goals and is perceived negatively by many users. This relates to both spatial and personnel aspects. Among other things, the spatial environment is rated as too cramped and not cosy enough. In addition, there are many reports of traumatisation and negative experiences, a lack of consideration of experiential knowledge, little experienced personal support as well as being alone and boredom. But there are also many negative aspects of working on such wards for professionals. The expansion of outpatient outreach services during acute mental health crises, which is also emerging in Switzerland, can demonstrably reduce inpatient stays as well as coercive measures and involuntary admissions. Nevertheless, there will be situations where support cannot be offered at home or on an outpatient basis. Despite this unsatisfactory situation, research and development in the field of inpatient acute psychiatry is almost non-existent.
Course of action
This project addressed the question of how best to adapt, design and equip psychiatric wards to meet the needs of users and professionals. In the first phase, a research plan for the development of an innovative prototype of an acute care ward and a plan for the financial support of the project were developed in close collaboration with users, relatives, health professionals and experts in the field of architecture and design. The project described in the study plan is designed to meet the needs of patients, health professionals and relatives. In a multi-stage process, the needs of those affected have been identified in workshops and exchange rounds, processed for the development of the prototype and integrated into the research plan. At all stages, the users are equal researchers in the development of the research plan and the eventual implementation of the project.
Result
In addition to the creation of a research plan and the future implementation of the project using participatory methods, the project provided insights into the opportunities and challenges of participation and user involvement in research in an interdisciplinary team. The success factors in this preliminary project were the clear financial conditions and possibilities for involving users from the outset, the clear definition of everyone's tasks and the regular exchange on the topic in the project team as a fixed agenda item in the meetings. The very heterogeneous background knowledge of the different project members was a challenge. In addition, the wishes expressed in the workshops and exchange rounds with stakeholders, users and experts were very heterogeneous. For the implementation of the large project, a distinction must be made between the levels of wishes and needs, or rather, these two levels should be analysed in an integrated way. In addition, at the beginning of the research project, the project staff should be brought to as uniform a level as possible in terms of prior knowledge of methods and content through further training and courses.
Looking ahead
This approach made it possible to draw up a research plan for the implementation of the project, taking into account the perspectives of stakeholders and experts as well as users and experts from different professions as researchers. This plan integrates a wide range of perspectives and, in this sense, seems well equipped to receive research funding.
