[Quality of life, needs and treatment evaluation of long-term hospitalized patients. Part II of the Berlin Deinstitutionalization Study].

OBJECTIVE

Objective living situation, subjective quality of life, need for care, and assessment of treatment of long-term hospitalised patients were investigated.

METHODS

237 patients from 6 hospitals were examined using standardised instruments.

RESULTS

Patients' satisfaction was generally relatively high, but varied greatly in subgroups and individuals. Patients were most satisfied with personal safety in the hospital and least satisfied with the expectation to live in the hospital for a long time. Therapists assessed clearly more needs for care in the patients than the patients did themselves. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between the subjective quality of life in different domains, the number of needs stated and plausible determining factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings reflecting patients' living situation in the hospital are very heterogeneous. In respect of subjective evaluation criteria, there is little space for improvement in the future.