Exploring the Mental Well-being of Hospitalized Patients: Survey Findings to Inform Future Supportive Interventions

Hospital stays are often associated with emotional strain, influenced by environmental, procedural, and communication factors. While supportive interventions hold promise for improving patient well-being, understanding the lived experiences and needs of patients is essential for designing effective, patient-centered solutions. This study seeks to explore these factors to inform future strategies for enhancing emotional support during hospital stays.

A 2023 cross-sectional survey at the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital Mannheim was conducted as an exploratory assessment to characterize patient-reported emotional stressors and care experiences during hospitalization. The survey employed a mixed-methods approach. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with qualitative responses coded for thematic patterns.

The survey revealed that prolonged waiting times (>1 hour, 74% of participants) and communication problems were associated with lower self-reported mental well-being (mean score dropped from 4.45 to 3.57 out of 5, p<0.001). Language barriers and organizational inefficiencies exacerbated distress, while staff empathy and social visits improved well-being. Prior to procedures, the most common stated emotions by participants were apprehension (68% therapeutic procedure and 58% diagnostic procedure) and anxiety (47% therapeutic, 21% diagnostic), with these emotions shifting to confidence (78% therapeutic, 57% diagnostic) and hope (44% therapeutic, 43% diagnostic) post-procedure.

Communication delays and procedural anxiety are important contributors to emotional distress during hospitalization. These findings delineate empirically grounded stress domains that may guide structured investigation of supportive intervention strategies. By integrating such innovations alongside the irreplaceable value of human-centered care, future research can build on these insights to create holistic, patient-tailored solutions. Co-design with patients and clinicians, followed by rigorous validation, will be key to unlocking this potential.