The Psychiatric Patient: a Voice to be Heard

Abstract

Summary: Patients' view of psychiatric care and its implications is a neglected area of inquiry, partly due to ideological factors as well as structural aspects of the National Health Service. It is acknowledged that patient satisfaction per se cannot be the major goal of the Health Services, but the path to improved welfare and treatment may be facilitated by patient satisfaction or at least by an awareness of patient opinion. Further exploration of this area is recommended.