Patient and staff perspectives on the use of seclusion.
OBJECTIVE
This paper investigates the perceptions and experience of patients and staff on the use of seclusion in psychiatric services.


METHODS
A purpose designed questionnaire was distributed to staff and patients in a general adult mental health service.


RESULTS
Staff and patients both attributed more negative than positive feelings to patients' experience of seclusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Monitoring and evaluation of the use of seclusion may be insufficient to prevent or ameliorate its emotional impact. More comfortable alternatives to seclusion need to be utilized whenever possible.
El-Badri
Selim
S
Adult Mental Health Service, Waikato District Health Board, Hamilton, New Zealand. elbadris@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Mellsop
Graham
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017751:Safety Management; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology