Carer perceptions of inpatient psychiatric hospitals and the treatment of their loved ones: A meta-review of the literature.
Katarina Khitra, Matthew Modini, Maree J Abbott
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This meta-review systematically synthesised evidence on how informal carers perceive inpatient psychiatric hospitals and the treatment of their loved ones. It searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE, appraised reviews using an adapted AMSTAR-2 framework, and included 17 systematic reviews. Thematic synthesis identified five recurring themes: exclusion and disempowerment; communication and information deficits; emotional and care burden; systemic barriers and crisis-driven pathways; and a desire for partnership and collaborative care. Carers commonly reported marginalisation and fragmented services, particularly around involuntary admission and discharge.
Key findings
- The meta-review included 17 systematic reviews and identified five overarching themes in carers’ perceptions.
- Carers frequently described marginalisation and confidentiality practices that excluded them from care.
- Fragmented services were a concern, particularly during involuntary admission and discharge.
- Carers expressed a desire for partnership and collaborative involvement in treatment and discharge planning.
Why it matters
Carer experiences are an important dimension of inpatient psychiatric care, especially during admission and discharge transitions. The review highlights recurring communication and involvement problems alongside substantial emotional and care burden. Recognising these themes can help services assess how their routines affect carers’ trust and perceptions of care quality and safety.
What to keep in mind
The findings synthesise existing systematic reviews rather than directly assessing carers or inpatient services; the abstract does not specify further limitations.