The use of psychotherapy with in-patients

Some form of psychotherapy is now often attempted with psychiatric in-patients, even though most discussion of the subject is concerned with out-patients. This study looks at how a group of junior doctors used psychotherapy with 38 patients who were routinely admitted to an acute admission ward. Information was gathered from the doctors at the beginning of the treatment, during its course, and at the time the patient was discharged. Three distinct patterns emerged. One group of patients were seen as candidates for psychotherapy and definite progress seemed to be made. A second group were seen as candidates for psychotherapy but somehow no progress was made. A third group of patients were never seen as candidates for psychotherapy. These groups are looked at in some detail and the implications are discussed.