Psychiatry is the integral field of medicine targeting the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various emotional, mental, and behavioral conditions. In this regard, the social, psychological, and physical aspects of the ward environment play an essential role in patients’ satisfaction and outcomes, and staff performance. This paper aims at providing my perceptions and observations of the psychiatric patient and the psychiatric settings, as well as the discussion of the interprofessional team members’ roles.
Any medical facility is connected with multiple challenges, problems, and sufferings since medicine’s central goal is to cure patients. In this context, I always associated psychiatric hospitals with particularly complicated and demanding work. I thought that patients with mental disorders significantly differ from other individuals as their behavior may be unforeseeable, highly reserved, impulsive, and, sometimes, aggressive. I imagined that the ward atmosphere would be tense, oppressive, or even hostile. Nevertheless, when I visited the psychiatric clinic, everything appeared to be much better at first glance.
The general milieu seemed to be calm, if not welcome, and personnel was not overwhelmed with daily troubles and work, as I believed. Besides, some nurses were communicative and told us about different interesting cases and patients. Indeed, some instances impressed me unpleasantly; for example, one patient stared at me for a long time, which was slightly bothering me. However, clinicians were respectful, sensitive, and careful with visitors and patients, attempting to insight into their issues. Thus, my comfort level was relatively high, primarily due to the clinical staff and tranquil atmosphere. Even when I interacted with some patients, which was disturbing, nurses instructed me on how to establish communication with them.
Finally, the interprofessional team members, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and support providers, can face different problems related to the rapidly changing behavior of patients and the complications of their diseases. In this regard, the doctors’ main task is to prevent or respond to concerns operatively and appropriately. Simultaneously, nurses should help ill persons relax and feel calm via active communication and express a respectful attitude to ensure effective information exchange. Overall, all efforts of the hospitals’ professionals should be directed at the prime issues and delivering comfort to patients.