User Designed Psychiatric Wards (PSYwithUS)

To develop a prototype of an acute psychiatric ward from the perspective of users, a research plan is being implemented in a multi-stage process with all participants in all phases on an equal basis.

Factsheet

Schools involved School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
School of Health Professions
Institute(s) Nursing
Research unit(s) Innovation in the Field of Mental Health and Psychiatric Care
Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Caring Society"
Funding organisation BFH
Duration (planned) 01.03.2024 - 31.12.2024
Head of project Dr. Christian Burr
Project staff Sabine Rühle Andersson
Claude Spiller
Andrea Zwicknagl
Elke Reitmayer
Keywords Safe space, mental health, acute psychiatry, UN CRPD, user involvement, architecture, design, participation

Situation

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and corresponding guidelines from the WHO, among others, call for the minimisation of coercion in psychiatry and the active participation of users in the further development of psychiatric services. Acute psychiatry in Switzerland still falls well short of these goals and is perceived negatively by many users. This relates to both spatial and personnel aspects. Among other things, the spatial environment is rated as too cramped and not cosy enough. In addition, there are many reports of traumatisation and negative experiences, a lack of consideration of experiential knowledge, little experienced personal support as well as being alone and boredom. But there are also many negative aspects of working on such wards for professionals. The expansion of outpatient outreach services during acute mental health crises, which is also emerging in Switzerland, can demonstrably reduce inpatient stays as well as coercive measures and involuntary admissions. Nevertheless, there will be situations where support cannot be offered at home or on an outpatient basis. Despite this unsatisfactory situation, research and development in the field of inpatient acute psychiatry is almost non-existent.

Course of action

This project is concerned with the question of how appropriate wards in psychiatry can be best adapted to the needs of users and professionals and how such a ward should be designed and equipped. In the first phase, a research plan for the development of an innovative prototype of an acute ward and a plan for the financial support of the project will be drawn up in close cooperation with users, relatives, healthcare professionals and specialists from the fields of architecture and design. The project described in the study plan is intended to meet the needs of those affected as well as the requirements of healthcare professionals and relatives. In a multi-stage process, the needs of the relevant people are to be recorded, prepared for the development of the prototype and integrated into the research plan. Users work as researchers in all phases on an equal footing in the creation of the research plan as well as in any potential implementation of the project.

Result

In addition to creating a research plan and carrying out the project using participatory methods, the project should also provide information on the opportunities and challenges of participation and user involvement in research in an interdisciplinary team. These results are to be discussed in a wider social context.