A survey of patients' attitudes towards inpatient psychiatric ward rounds

Attitudes towards the multidisciplinary ward round were assessed in fifty psychiatric inpatients, from two wards, using a semi-structured interview. About three quarters of them had at least a moderately favourable impression of the ward round but more than half would still prefer not to be interviewed in this way. Levels of anxiety and perceived helpfulness were positively correlated. Afro-Caribbeans found the interview significantly less helpful, less understandable and less memorable. Men found it less helpful than women and there were differences found between the two wards. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.