TITLE:
Experiences of Psychiatric Day-Care Patients during the Introductory Period in Japan
AUTHORS:
Tomoko Chijiiwa, Kayoko Ishimura
KEYWORDS:
Psychiatric Day Care, Experiences of Patients, Introductory Period, Qualitative Descriptive Analysis, Japan
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation,
Vol.8 No.3,
June
10,
2020
ABSTRACT: Psychiatric day care plays an important role as transitional support
after discharge in Japan. However, interruption rate of the day care treatment
is high during the introductory period. The purpose of this study was to
clarify the experiences of psychiatric day-care patients during the
introductory period and find an approach to care. A qualitative study with
thirteen patients at the introductory period
was designed to explore participant’s experiences through semi-structured
interviews. At first, patients were confused about their attitude because they paid
attention to themselves, and consequently closed their involvement with others. However, through therapeutic day care
activities, they attempted to adapt themselves and gradually turned
their attention toward others and accumulated interpersonal experiences. As
interactions with others became more frequent, they became conscious of
themselves and others. Finally, while having
worries about the future, they looked toward recovery and became aware
that they were changing. Experiences of patients during the introductory period
were essential to their recovery and gave meaning to their day care usage.
Nurses should collaborate with patients to determine whether day care would
serve to open a patient’s life to new possibilities.