Psychiatric Intensive Care Units: a Literature Review

Len Bowers, Debra Jeffery, Hulya Bilgin, Manuela Jarrett, Alan Simpson and Julia Jones
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Len Bowers: City University, Philpot Street, London E1 2EA, UK, L.Bowers@city.ac.uk
Debra Jeffery: City University, Philpot Street, London E1 2EA, UK
Hulya Bilgin: Florence Nightingale College of Nursing, Istanbul University, Turkey
Manuela Jarrett: City University, Philpot Street, London E1 2EA, UK
Alan Simpson: Research Assistant, City University, Philpot Street, London E1 2EA, UK
Julia Jones: City University, Philpot Street, London E1 2EA, UK

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2008, vol. 54, issue 1, 56-68

Abstract: Background: Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) have been part of most inpatient psychiatric services for some time, although information about their functioning and outcome has not previously been collated. Aim: To conduct a systematic literature review to assess the current state of knowledge about such services. Method: A search of electronic databases was undertaken, followed by obtaining additional references from items obtained. Results: Over 50 papers in English containing some empirical data were identified. Most studies were retrospective. Typical PICU patients are male, younger, single, unemployed, suffering from schizophrenia or mania, from a Black Caribbean or African background, legally detained, with a forensic history. The most common reason for admission is for aggression management, and most patients stay a week or less. Evidence of the efficacy of PICU care is very poor. Conclusions: Most research so far has been small scale, and more substantial work using better methodologies is clearly required.

Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:1:p:56-68

DOI: 10.1177/0020764007082482

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