Helpfulness of mental health day care: client and staff views

Seventeen clients of a mental health day service were interviewed regarding their treatment experiences. Content analysis of this information was undertaken, and the clients then rank-ordered the reported aspects of treatment from most to least helpful. Staff undertook a similar procedure to enable clients' views to be placed in context. Both clients and staff reported counselling as the most helpful aspect of treatment. Clients and staff disagreed as to the relative helpfulness of medical and group aspects of treatment. Clients reported medical treatment as the second most helpful aspect, and staff reported groups and the planned approach to care second. Social contact with other clients was reported to be just as helpful as organized group therapy by clients. Clients identified that just having somewhere to go to meet people was very helpful. Communication difficulties between staff and clients were evident with regard to the planned approach to care, discharge planning, and group activities. The ability of clients to evaluate their treatment experiences differentially is highlighted.