[Caregivers' expectations towards psychiatric hospital]

Caregivers' expectations regarding optimal psychiatric inpatient care should be evaluated using qualitative methodology.

A content analysis of interviews with 32 caregivers was carried out. The statements and categories were quantitatively analysed to assess its relative importance.

"Much time of doctors and psychologists for discussion with the caregivers" was expected most frequently. In addition, caregivers assigned high importance to successful treatment of patient by competent physicians and psychologists and to information provided to caregivers about therapies, medication, side-effects and treatment progress. 53 % of all statements were related to the category "treatment and contact", 20 % to "information and education", 15 % to "clinical organisation and equipment", and 13 % to "admission and discharge".

Taking into account these findings, more attention should be paid to caregivers' expectations to reduce problems of interaction between clinicians and caregivers. This might be helpful to improve the cooperation between caregivers and psychiatric hospitals resulting in a higher consumer satisfaction.