The psychiatric team’s experiences with team working in the psychiatric wards

Members of the psychiatric team have significant role in the treatment and care providing process for patients with psychiatric disorders. In order to improve the care system in psychiatric wards, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the team members’ experiences with team working. This study was conducted to accesses the psychiatric team’s experiences of team working in psychiatric settings.

This was a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. Through a convenient sampling, a purposeful sample was selected consisting of 10 persons working as personnels of psychiatric wards of four university hospitals in Isfahan in 2007. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews. Data was analysed using the seven-step method defined by Colaizzi.

Findings were summarized as three core concepts (namely: “communication, “power” and “conflict”) as well as 5 sub concepts (that are: “cooperating”, “self awareness”, “hop”, “competence” and “multiple role”).

The findings can contribute to future plans for improving psychiatric care in hospitals.