DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

METHOD
Design
After consultation with the Trust R&D department, this small study was not considered to
need ethical approval.
Questionnaire construction
A questionnaire was devised for the purpose of this study (see appendix 2) with reference
to various key texts (e.g. Barker, Pistrang and Elliott, 1999). An attempt was made to
keep item wording clear and simple, questions specific and single (i.e. no double
barrelled questions) and thought was given to constructing the most reliable response
scale. The questionnaire was anonymous but requested information about the
professional’s discipline, years in current service and type of service they worked in i.e.
Adult or Older Adult Mental Health.
There were nineteen questions in the first part of the questionnaire asking how important
the professional thought various ward round practices were. The nineteen points were
taken from the main points of the best practice guidelines, (Wolf, 1997) (appendix 3).
The questionnaire asked about the importance of the following factors:
- refreshments being offered to patients
- thought being given to who the best person is to ask the patient questions
- not asking intimate questions
- patient presence throughout discussion of their care
- opportunity to see psychiatrist and other professionals outside of ward round
- structured agenda and holistic plan in place
- explanation of confidentiality and voluntary attendance
- each professional introducing themselves and explaining their reason for being
there
- minimising the number of attendees
- facilitation of family and advocate attendance
- patient understanding purpose of meeting and an explanation offered
54