Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Open Access)

Department

Colby College. Sociology Dept.

Advisor(s)

Matthew Archibald

Second Advisor

Karen Macke

Abstract

This research project focuses on patient-centered care (PCC) in the context of inpatient acute psychiatric units. Hospitals have been claiming their renewed outlooks on health-care via PCC. It has become an increasingly popular term to use on hospital websites and in presidential statements. The technologies and practices surrounding psychiatric care have evolved in such a way that patients are more welcomed to have an input in their care. This project discusses the discourse around PCC at Mental Health Care Facilities in Maine. There is no consensus on the definition; the meanings ascribed to it are derived from the individual institutions. This project asks: In what ways has the PCC initiative impacted facility understandings and practices of care? This project uses official document analysis, interviews, and surveys to develop the full range of data needed to construct the conversation around PCC. Patients received a preexisting survey to evaluate patient satisfaction. Psychiatrists of the acute psychiatric unit where surveys are collected have been interviewed. A comprehensive definition of PCC would allow for more fluid discourse between institutions. Moving forward all U.S acute psychiatric unit mission, vision, and value statements should be evaluated. More data from interviews should be collected and analyzed to determine the social implications of PCC and doctor- centered care. An analysis comparing how many acute wards use each method must be done to see how mainstream each method is. We must determine if PCC is the best method of care.

Keywords

Patient-Centered Care, Health, Medicine, Mental Health, Mental Illness

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