Cited by 89Psychiatric care and mental health servicesHealthcare Facilities Design and SustainabilityHistorical Psychiatry and Medical Practices

The psychiatric ward as a therapeutic space: systematic review

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Papoulias, Constantina, Csipke, Emese, Rose, Diana, McKellar, Susie, Wykes, Til·2014·British Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Background: Hospital care is still an integral part of mental healthcare services. But the impact of ward design on treatment outcomes is unclear. Aims: To review the effects of ward design on patient outcomes and patient and staff well-being. Method: A systematic review of literature was carried out on Medline, Embase and PsycINFO. Papers on psychogeriatric and child and adolescent wards were excluded as these necessitate specific safety features. Results: Twenty-three papers were identified. No strong causal links between design and clinical outcomes were found. Private spaces and a homely environment may contribute to patient well-being. Different stakeholders may experience ward design in conflicting ways; design has a symbolic and social dimension for patients. Conclusions: Data on the impact of design on treatment outcomes are inconclusive. Rigorous randomised controlled trials, qualitative studies and novel methods are called for. Different stakeholders' responses to the ward as a symbolic environment merit further investigation.

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Authors
Papoulias, C., Csipke, E., Rose, D., McKellar, S., & Wykes, T.
Affiliations
King's College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Csipke, Emese
Venue
British Journal of Psychiatry
Published
2014-09
Volume
205
Issue
3
Pages
171-176
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
OpenAlex
W2048833918
Cited by
89
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3
FWCI
0.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NF-SI-0509-10023, RP-PG-0606-1050)
  • King's College London
  • Programme Grants for Applied Research
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
  • Social Sciences › Urban Studies › Healthcare Facilities Design and Sustainability
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices
Keywords
therapeutic environment, hospital architecture, patient outcomes, patient well-being, employee well-being, private space, symbolic environment, mental health services
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Humans, Mental Health Services, Psychiatric Department, Hospital, Treatment Outcome

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