title: Methods of observation in mental health inpatient units.
abstract: Observation is a common procedure that is controversial as it may be experienced by patients as oppressive. This article discusses the nature of observation in mental health inpatient units, concluding that the practice is likely to continue as it provides a written record of what has occurred. However, the quality of nursing intervention is more likely to have a significant impact on patients than is observation.
authors.affiliation: Montpellier Unit, Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Mathew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*