Perception and Satisfaction of Patients Versus Staffs in Three Psychiatric Wards in Tehran in 2010 and 2011

Objectives To evaluate the perception and satisfaction of patients versus staffs in three psychiatric wards in Tehran. Methods 219 participants (patients and staffs) from Imam Hossein, Taleghani and Rouzbeh hospitals were evaluated using WAS (ward atmosphere scale), WES -10 (working environment scale), Moos and VSSS (verona service satisfaction scale- 32) questionnaires. Results 217 participants including 121 patients (55.2%), 58 staffs (26.4%) (nurses and assistant nurses) and 38 doctors (17.3%) (Psychiatrist and residents) were evaluated. The highest mean score in WAS for patients was in order and organization (0.57 ± 0.13) and for staffs was in anger and aggressive behavior (0.58 ± 0.13) items, moreover the lowest mean score in patients and staffs was in autonomy. The mean scores for patients regarding order and organization, staff control and clarity items were higher compared to staffs and in other items the staffs scored higher than patients. Involvement with therapy strongly correlated with Verona (+ 0.75). MOOS showed direct significant correlation with self-realization and indirect significant correlation with nervousness, conflict and work load in WES-10. Conclusions Staff and patients perceive the treatment environment differently, moreover staff consider ward atmosphere more suitable than patients, but staff satisfaction did not correlate with their perception from treatment environment.