How is the in-patient psychiatric ward round understood in research literature? Scoping review

This scoping review examines the literature on psychiatric in-patient ward rounds, a crucial and ubiquitous but understudied component of psychiatric care. We sought to examine the methods and perspectives used in research on ward rounds and identify recommendations for practice.

The review identified 26 studies from diverse in-patient settings but predominantly UK-based, which made 21 recommendations for practice. The commonest methods used were staff surveys and patient interviews. Patient experience, structure, efficiency and power dynamics were the commonest research foci.

Key recommendations for improving psychiatric ward rounds include reducing participant numbers, increasing patient involvement, structured documentation and regular scheduling. Despite weak empirical evidence supporting these suggestions, they are seen as feasible starting points for quality improvement. The review calls for future research to triangulate patient and staff reports with direct observation to better assess ward round effectiveness and outcomes.