Discomfort sharing the general practice waiting room with mentally ill patients: a cross-sectional study

Perceptions of Psychotherapy Waiting Rooms: Design Recommendations

OBJECTIVE

This study fills the gap in literature by examining the design elements preferred in psychotherapy waiting rooms.

BACKGROUND

Studies have examined waiting rooms in hospitals and doctors' offices, but there is little published literature on waiting rooms in psychotherapy offices. Waiting rooms in psychotherapy offices may affect clients' perceived quality of care and their comfort level.

METHOD

Psychotherapists in Connecticut and Rhode Island were interviewed and agreed to have the waiting rooms (20 in total) of their practices photographed. Then, in a within-subjects design, 250 participants (225 retained for analyses) from MTurk answered questions about the quality of care and comfort in the environment expected in those 20 waiting rooms.

RESULTS

Factor analytic results showed that waiting rooms that were welcoming and comfortable as well as large and spacious rated higher for the quality of care and comfort in the environment anticipated by the participant; those that were cramped and crowded rated lower. Few therapists reported any design education about counseling environments and none about the waiting room.

CONCLUSION

Information from this study can guide the design of psychotherapy waiting rooms and enhance healthcare experience.

Treating body, treating mind: The experiences of people with psychotic disorders and their general practitioners - Findings from the Australian National Survey of High Impact Psychosis

OBJECTIVES

To describe from the perspective of people living with psychotic illness their use of general practitioner services over a 12-month period and the experiences, attitudes and challenges general practitioners face providing health care to this population.

METHODS

A two-phase design was used. Phase 1, screening for psychosis, occurred in public specialised mental health services and non-government organisations within seven catchment sites across Australia. In Phase 2, 1825 people who were screened positive for psychosis were randomly selected for interview which included questions about frequency and reason for general practitioner contact in the 12 months prior to interview. General practitioners (1473) of consenting participants were also surveyed.

RESULTS

Almost all (90.3%) survey participants had consulted a general practitioner in the 12-month period, on average 8.9 times, and 28.8% of attenders had consulted 12 times or more. The majority (83.5%) attended one general practitioner practice. Most (77.6%) general practitioners wanted to be involved in the mental health care of their patient. Although 69.1% said the management of their patient was not problematic for their practice, one in five general practitioners reported issues related to patient non-compliance with treatment and non-attendance at scheduled appointments; time constraints; and lack of feedback from treating mental health services.

CONCLUSION

People with psychotic disorders consult general practitioners, some very frequently. Most Australian general practitioners believe they have a responsibility to review the physical and mental health of their patients. Improved communication between general practitioners and mental health services, and easier access to mental health support, may help general practitioners manage the complex mental, physical and social problems of their patients.