title: 'They told me I had this personality disorder … all of a sudden I was wasting their time': personality disorder and the inpatient experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Qualitative research has neglected the experience of being on an inpatient unit for individuals with a personality disorder.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to explore the inpatient experiences of service users with a personality disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten service users from a community personality disorder service (CPDS) took part in a focus group. The transcript was analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five super-ordinate themes were identified: practicalities of ward life; having a voice; revolving door patients; the power of sectioning and the 'PD' label.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The focus group led to a range of issues, including concerns over staff attitudes and inpatient safety, which need to be addressed in the NHS to improve the inpatient experience for those with a personality disorder. Equally important, positive developments were recognised; including listening to inpatient feedback and joint decision making.
authors.affiliation: Community Personality Disorder Service, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Hertfordshire, London, UK. b.l.rogers@surrey.ac.uk
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011287:Prejudice; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D006113:United Kingdom