Patients' perceptions of psychiatric home care

A qualitative study was designed to explore patients' perceptions of psychiatric home care. Nine patients receiving psychiatric home care from a private home-care agency were interviewed using a tool developed by the researcher. Demographic data was collected from the patients' charts. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze characteristics of the patients. Content analysis was conducted on interview transcripts. The aspects of psychiatric home care that patients described as most valuable include companionship, counseling, assistance with housework, and monitoring of vital signs. Patients described positive effects of psychiatric home care on their compliance with psychotropic medication regimens and on their relationships with family members. All patients in this sample received psychiatric services in addition to psychiatric home care. Psychiatric home care appeared to be a major factor in maintaining patients in the community. Nursing implications, limitations of the study, and recommendations for further research are presented. (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company