[Working with relatives in psychiatric facilities - A survey of hospital social services in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany].

Abstract

Survey on work with relatives in inpatient and day-care psychiatric hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.In an online study, N=95 clinical social workers were asked about support services and participation opportunities for relatives.From the respondents' point of view, work with relatives is widely established in psychiatric hospitals. However, there are numerous disruptive factors in the actual practical implementation, above all existing data protection regulations, organizational, personnel and structural obstacles.In order to improve work with relatives, the above-mentioned obstacles must be removed and binding internal hospital guidelines established.