Patient Attitudes Related to Some Problems in Psychiatric Architecture

Abstract

Interviews were used to elicit attitudes and opinions of open-ward patients concerning the physical and socio-psychological mental hospital environment. Some particular problems discussed are: (a) the psychological influence of maximum security measures, (b) ward size, (c) dining and sleeping arrangements, (d) the use of concentrated vs dispersed wards, (e) the “refuge effect” of a comfortable hospital, and (f) aesthetic considerations. The results indicated that the physical plant and facilities, including a large variety of activities, are important to patients. In addition, patient-perceived qualities of a good hospital, hospital purposes, and recent trends in hospital design are discussed.