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

Other comments from Nursing stated that the meeting should always be chaired by the
Consultant Psychiatrist and that they are the best person to ask the necessary personal
questions. It was also suggested by a Psychiatrist that the meeting was about them and the
service user establishing a relationship, implying that this is the priority and adding that
the ward round was “not a time for tea and biscuits”.
Theme 4 – Anxiety caused to the patient
There were comments about the anxiety caused to the patient by ward round attendance
from members of all the professional groups. The ‘Other’ group related the level of
anxiety to the number of professionals that attended. It was felt that too many
professionals attended and that this led to more anxiety for the service user. From the
Nursing group, comments included that there has been an observation on the ward of
increased arousal and “difficult” behaviour whilst the ward round is taking place. The
number of professionals attending the meeting was mentioned by various Clinical
Psychologists. A dilemma was highlighted with regard to providing an opportunity for
students to learn, with all members of the multi-disciplinary team involved, or keeping
numbers to a minimum to prevent the service users feeling intimidated.
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