Læknablaðið : fylgirit - 01.08.2003, Page 75

POSTERS / 27TH NORDIC PSYCHIATRIC CONGRESS I
cant attention in deinstitutionalisation discussions. Very limited in-
formation on the experience is available on sheltered residency in
Reykjavík, Iceland, has been available and this report is intended to
remedy that lack. The purpose of this study was to collect data on the
operation of all 19 sheltered care residences for the mentally ill in
Reykjavík. Three homes declined to take part. Residents (N=55) of
the homes (N=16) were studied. Data was collected from residents,
social workers, and home staff on each resident’s functioning, treat-
ment, duration of residence, and frequency of rehospitalization, and
on each home’s service and environment. Tlie findings were evalu-
ated in terms of adequacy and appropriateness of care provided using
accepted guidelines. The results indicate that the homes have a per-
sonal and homelike atmosphere that the staff provides emotional
support, and that skill-development are provided. The staff has al-
most exclusive responsibility for formal decisions and in this respect
the homes show some characteristics of institutions. Residents ex-
pressed a high level of satisfaction and they view the homes as a posi-
tive solution, compared to hospitalisation. Residents are much less
likely to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital in the three years after
moving to a sheltered residence than in the year prior.
P - 59 Friday 15/8,14:00-15:00
Standardisation of the Resident Assessment Instrument-
Mental Health (RAI-MH) in lceland.
Halldór Kallicinsson. MD, Psychiatrist, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavík,
Dept. of Psychiatry at Kleppur, Iceland. GA Arnþórsdóttir, G Guðmundsdóttir, RÞ
Þórsdóttir.
halldork@landspitali. is
Background: The RAI-MH was created to be a broad screening in-
strument, which includes series of items covering a range of com-
mon problems in mental health.
Aim: The purpose of this research was to translate, validate, and
assess the utility of the RAI-MH at psychiatric inpatient wards in
Iceland.
Methods: The RAI-MH project began in 1999 with the translation
of the asseAment instrument. The data was collected after ob-
taining informed consent at nine psychiatric rehabilitation wards at
Landspitali University Hospital. Trained psychiatric nurses per-
formed the assessment. Individuals’ items were assessed for inter-
rater reliability and the analysis of the reliability was based on
weighted kappa coefficients and percentage agreement. All data
was analysed with the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences
(SPSS)
Rcsults: The study group comprised of 102 patients, 39% females
and 61% rnales. The majority of patients (60%) were over 45 years
of age. The main length of stay was over five years, with range of
days 7-20 thousand. The main reasons for admission were specific
psychiatric symptoms. The most important psychiatric diagnosis ac-
cording to DSM-IV was schizophrenia, about 50%, affective dis-
orders 22%, and cognitive disorders 17%. Further results will be
revealed.
Conclusion: The RAI-MH is a comprehensive standardised instru-
ment for evaluation of psychiatric inpatients. The RAI-MH instru-
ment records important issues related to psychiatric, social, envi-
ronmental, and medical issues emphasising patients functioning.
P - 60 Friday 15/8,14:00-15:00
Occupational therapy in mental health - does it work and
for whom?
Sylvianc Pétursson, Hallgerður Ásta Guðjónsdóttir, Occupational Therapists, Uni-
versity Hospital, Psychiatry. Psychiatric Unit, Occupational Therapy Department.
Reykjavík, íceland
sylviane@landspitali.is
No systematic studies in mental health have been performed in Ice-
land that address which clients benefit from occupational therapy.
This pilot study was an attempt to explore what clients benefit from
occupational therapy and what impact therapy has on the occupa-
tional performance of clients that completed therapy. Statistic
charts from 2000-2002 were explored and occupational therapy
clients categorized. Clients who met minimum attendance stan-
dards were contacted and interviewed concerning current occupa-
tional performance. Only clients who stated initially that they were
motivated to attend OT completed their program. Of those clients
who were interviewed the majority had met their personal goals.
These clients' vicious circle of admission-discharge-readmission
had been broken. Good teamwork is needed to ensure that clients
are motivated to attend OT. Neither OTs nor other staff decides if
people are ready to take responsibility for their rehabilitation.
Clients that completed their program had learned to take rnore
control over their lives. Clients reported increased satisfaction with
their daily occupations and satisfaction with life in general. Social
services need to offer more diversity and flexibility in their services
in order to meet individual needs, as there are great personal diffe-
rences in the process of recovery.
P - 61 Fridaay 15/8,14:00-15:00
Patients’ experience and views: Research on social
rehabilitation
Svcinbjörg Jiílía Svavarsdóttir, Head of Social Work, Department of Psychiatry,
Landspítali University Hospital, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
sveinbsv@landspitali.is
Background: Attitudes and expectations of patients to rehabilitation
had not been examined recently in psychiatric wards of Landspitali
University Hospital in Reykjavik and these may vary from one
decade to another as social and health systems continue to change.
Ainis: To investigate whether rehabilitation helped to increase
patients’ possibilities to lead independent lives, with regard to their
employment, education, residence, and social relations.
Method: A qualitative interview approach was used in the study.
Results: Patients’ expectations of rehabilitation did not accord with
the reality of their lives. Many people expected to boost their self-
confidence and receive help in expressing their emotions and doing
something useful. They wished to increase their education and ac-
quire a home of their own. Due to their anxiety and persistent lack
of self-respect and self-confidence, they often had not taken neces-
sary steps towards full independence on their own.
Condusion: Further work is required to examine why many psychi-
atric patients have difficulty in regaining their independence in so-
ciety following their stay in hospital and what can be done to simpli-
fy their process of adaptation to life following discharge.
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