[Segregated or mixed sex treatment in the psychiatric clinic--what do patients prefer?].
OBJECTIVE
Preference on separate or mixed sex treatment should be evaluated from the viewpoint of patients of a psychiatric hospital.


METHODS
The preference of patients were surveyed by questionnaire before and after mixing four single sex wards. The adjusted response rate was 74.5%.


RESULTS
About 75% of psychiatric patients prefer a mixed sex ward, about 25% prefer a single sex ward. Females more frequently confirm the type of ward to whom they were actually allocated. By contrast, males are in favour for mixed sex wards independently of the presently experienced type of ward. Younger patients, voluntarily admitted patients, and patients with substance addiction prefer mixed sex wards. After mixing the sexes of formerly single sex wards a significant increase in preference of mixed sex wards was found, due to increased affirmation by female patients.


CONCLUSIONS
If single sex wards can be established in a psychiatric hospital considering their size, specialisation of wards, and sector of care, patients are enabled to choose between a single and mixed sex ward at admission.
D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation