The survey of community need for rehabilitating psychiatric patients related to occupational therapy

Abstract

The objective of the study was to explore a rehabilitation program for psychiatric patients in the community, which would be suitable to needs and environments of a target group. The target group was a prevalent community of psychiatric patients in Donjadee subdistrict, Pasang district, Lampoon province of Thailand. Focus group interviews were used to search the needs of 25 psychiatric patients, 28 relatives, 29 neighbors and 53 community leaders. The findings examined by content analysis illustrated the following information: 1) knowledge and understanding about mental illness included 1.1) the causes of mental illness were from stress, genetics and drug use. The patients reported unacceptance or disappointment caused by mental illness. 1.2) symptoms of mental illness included hallucinations and fear; insomnia, self-separation, absent mindedness and depression. 1.3) mental illness as perceived by the patients could be treated most effectively by medication, and by more positive thinking, social relationship, and work. 2) problems caused by mental illness, as reported by the patients were no income, self-preoccupation or anxiety, unhappiness, insomnia and poor health. They also felt they made problems to their families and burdened their relatives. They were perceived as troublesome members when they could not control themselves. 3) needs of assistance included a positive attitude toward the patients, receiving medication consistently and conveniently, knowledge about their psychiatric diseases, how to look after themselves and having jobs or careers (for the patients), and how to help and look after the patients appropriately including having jobs or careers for them. In addition, leaders of the community needed the patients to look after themselves in activities of daily living. Bull Chiang Mai Sci 2009: 42: 71-81.