Impact and Facilitators of a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Daycare Work Program

Abstract

Background: Work confers many benefits to persons with psychiatric disabilities. The daycare work programs can be helpful for patients in multiple ways. Many stakeholders plan and implement a daycare work program, including patients, caregivers, trainers, staff members, and professionals. The literature on daycare work programs is limited. The present study aimed to understand the impact and facilitators of a selected daycare work program (Green Skills Program [GSP]) from the lens of stakeholders. Methods: Criterion sampling was used to recruit the stakeholders who have been part of GSP. Twenty-seven stakeholders were interviewed using a researcher-prepared semi-structured interview schedule. Atlas. ti version 9 was used for coding. Thematic analysis was done to identify themes. Results: Stakeholders considered GSP easy, enjoyable, and accommodative to patients with different functioning levels. GSP participation was deemed as gainful engagement and vital to day-structuring. The patients worked in groups, which promoted peer learning and teamwork. Various behavioral, social, and work-related improvements were noted among the patients by the stakeholders. Incentives and social reinforcements were significant motivators. Stakeholders were content with the trainer's way of teaching the patients and felt that she possessed many essential attributes that motivated them and improved their work outcomes. Conclusions: While conceiving daycare work programs, ease of doing activities, accommodation of patients with varying levels of functionality, trainer's aptitude, and use of reinforcements should be considered.