Quality in Community-Based day Center Services for People with Psychiatric Disabilities from the Attendees’ Perspective

Abstract

Community-based day centers in Sweden are well-established arenas for psychiatric rehabilitation. Little is, however, known of the attendees’ perception of the quality of the service provided. Therefore, the aim of the study was to describe and investigate the quality of community-based day center services for people with psychiatric disabilities. A sample of 218 attendees (44% females) between 18 and 71 years old in 14 community-based day center services in Sweden completed the quality in psychiatric care–daily activities (QPC-DA) instrument. The results showed that people with psychiatric disabilities perceived the quality of community-based day center services as high and 87% perceived the overall quality as satisfactory. The highest ratings were found in encounter followed by support, daily activity-specific, secure environment, participation, and the lowest quality was found in secluded environment dimensions of the QPC-DA. Most notably, quality of service was rated higher by those with lower educational level, had waited shorter time to attend the center, and had better mental and physical health. However, particularly aspects of a secluded environment and participation (information) may be areas with potential for improvement. In conclusion, the results adhere to the importance of occupational balance, with periods of rest/privacy during the time at the center.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.