When in Rome a grounded theory analysis of service users' experiences of ward rounds

Ward rounds are a fundamental part and regular feature of a service user's care in most impatient settings. Existing literature indicates that ward rounds are experienced differently for service users and their carers; the former more likely to report feeling intimated, particularly in psychiatric settings, whilst the latter expressing reassurance received from the process. The current qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of ward rounds for adolescents and parents attending an impatient mental health unit for adolescents. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with ten participants. A grounded theory approach generated a process model with the core category of 'adaptation'. The main categories were termed: 'anticipating'; 'managing intermediate impact'; 'seeking understanding'; 'readjusting expectations' and 'further consolidation of experiences'. Adaptation permeated all these categories. The model was cyclical in nature as readjusted expectations regarding ward rounds led to a new form of anticipation, before the process started over again. The model described how participants adapted to both the process and contents of ward rounds. A number of elements identified in the study may be more broadly applicable to clients attending ward rounds in other settings.