title: The experience of seclusion and restraint in psychiatric settings: perspectives of patients.
abstract: Many studies report that the use of seclusion and restraint (SR) is experienced negatively by patients who experience feelings of shame, helplessness, and humiliation, and may relive previous trauma events. Since 2000, in Québec, exceptional measures like SR have been framed by a protocol. This protocol provides health care teams with guidelines for relieving, containing, and reducing the suffering caused by SR. We have no knowledge, however, about the views of patients regarding application of the protocol. This study aims to understand the perception of patients regarding application of the SR protocol. For this purpose, a questionnaire was presented to patients (n = 50) who experienced an episode of SR in a psychiatric hospital in Canada. Results show that patients had a nuanced perception of SR: Some felt that SR was a helpful measure, while others felt that SR was not a helpful measure. Patients tended to agree with statements related to the comfort and safety of seclusion rooms and the meeting of their physical needs. Regarding support, they suggested relational, drug, and environmental interventions to prevent seclusion. Finally, nearly all patients perceived that the health care team did not follow-up with the patients after the experience; such follow-up is essential for reconstructing a sometimes confusing event.
authors.affiliation: Fernand Seguin research center and Quebec Nursing Intervention Research Network, Quebec, Canada. caroline.larue@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Larue
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dumais
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: Marie-Hélène
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Goulet
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baba
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D061214:Patient Safety; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011792:Quebec; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires