BackgroundInpatient admissions can increase carer stress rather than provide a welcome respite. Aims To gain a carer perspective about how to better meet their needs during an inpatient admission. MethodInterviews were conducted with 12 carers whose relative had been admitted to inpatient care at least once. Interviews were analysed thematically.ResultsCarers described a fear of relinquishing responsibility for care which was exacerbated by concerns about the quality of care provided by staff. Better experiences were possible when carers were given information ranging from generic information about symptoms or how the mental health system works, information about patients’ needs and signposting in relation to carer support systems. ConclusionsInpatient staff need training in carer involvement including ways of engaging carers when patients do not give consent to information sharing. Communication is a two-way process with carers and staff learning from each other in terms of supporting patients.
Berry et al. (Tue,) studied this question.