title: Inpatient views and experiences before and after implementing a totally smoke-free policy in the acute psychiatry hospital setting.
abstract: In the present study, we examined the views and experiences of patients admitted to an acute psychiatry unit before and after the implementation of a totally smoke-free policy. Forty-six inpatients completed a questionnaire assessing their views before the smoking ban. Another 52 inpatients completed a questionnaire assessing their views and experiences after the smoking ban. Before the totally smoke-free policy, 69.6% smoked, with 67.7% smoking more when admitted to the psychiatry ward. Before the smoking ban, 54.4% reported that the totally smoke-free policy would be 'negative' or 'very negative,' and 30.5% said it would be 'positive' or 'very positive.' After the totally smoke-free policy, 57.7% smoked heavily before hospital (mean cigarettes/day = 24.9), with consumption dramatically reducing following admission to a totally smoke-free psychiatric unit (mean cigarettes/day = 8.3). After the totally smoke-free policy, 36.5% reported that it was 'negative' or 'very negative,' and 50% reported that it was 'positive' or 'very positive.' Overall, inpatients reported improved acceptance of the policy following implementation. Inpatients stated that the most difficult thing about the smoking ban was experiencing increased negative emotions, while the most positive aspect was the improved physical environment of the ward. Inpatients who smoke must be appropriately supported using a range of strategies, and in the present study, we suggest relevant clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc), Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Sacha L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Filia
authors.affiliation: Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc), Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Gurvich
authors.affiliation: Alfred Psychiatry, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horvat
authors.affiliation: Alfred Psychiatry, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Clare L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Shelton
authors.affiliation: Alfred Psychiatry, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Lynda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Katona
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Alfred Psychiatry, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stafrace
authors.affiliation: Alfred Psychiatry, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keppich-Arnold
authors.affiliation: Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc), Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jayashri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: inpatient psychiatry; inpatient view; patient experience; smoking; smoking ban