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Changing Ward Atmosphere Through Staff Discussion of the Perceived Ward Environment
William D. Pierce, PhD;
Edison J. Trickett, PhD;
Rudolf H. Moos, PhD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1972;26(1):35-41.
Abstract
The paper describes an attempt to change the treatment environments of a psychiatric ward in a direction more consonant with the stated preferences of the staff. The Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS), which measures ten dimensions of ward cultures, eg, Affiliation, Insight, Aggression, Clarity, and Autonomy, was used to assess the treatment environment. Patients and staff described the ward as it was (real ward) and staff also described their conceptions of an ideal ward. The results were discussed in detail with staff in change-oriented feedback sessions. Retesting indicated that there were significant changes in ward environment and that both patients and staff perceived the ward as being closer to the staff's conception of an ideal ward after feedback. Systematic feedback about how patients and staff perceived the ward environment directly facilitated staff attempts geared toward changing various aspects of the ward culture.
Author Affiliations
San Francisco; New Haven, Conn; Stanford, Calif
From the Department of Psychiatry, Mt. Zion Hospital and Medical Center, San Francisco (Dr. Pierce), the Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (Dr. Trickett), and the Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (Dr. Moos). Dr. Pierce is now at the Westside Community Mental Health Center, San Francisco.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 6, 1970.
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