Subjective Experiences of Receiving Short-Term Care Through Brief Admission: A Study Based on Post-Discharge Written Patient Evaluations

Background Brief Admission (BA) is a complementary model of psychiatric inpatient care that allows individuals to initiate a short hospital stay of 1–3 days on their own initiative. Previous research has generally shown that BA is perceived as a valued intervention by patients, healthcare professionals, and significant others, and that it may promote patient participation while enabling the maintenance of everyday activities and social relationships. However, some individuals experience difficulties in assessing their need for BA and feel uncertainty about seeking BA, often related to prior negative experiences of psychiatric inpatient care. To ensure that care is both effective and person-centred, interventions need to be continuously evaluated in order to identify both effective components and areas for improvement that may enhance care quality. Aim The aim of this study was to explore patients’ subjective experiences of short inpatient stays within the context of BA. Method A qualitative inductive design was employed. Data consisted of 225 evaluation forms completed by patients who had been admitted through BA between 2018 and 2025. The responses were analysed using conventional content analysis to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon and to identify patterns and relationships within the data. Results The findings indicate that BA provides support and facilitates recovery when users experience staff as validating and are offered opportunities for dialogue. The importance of a calm environment, structured routines, and access to either activities or rest was emphasised. The results further suggest that BA is most appreciated when used at an early stage and when a balance is achieved between the individual’s need for support and their level of personal responsibility. Conclusion BA constitutes a dynamic form of care that requires continuous balancing between support and autonomy, as well as between responsibility and relief, tailored to the individual’s needs and daily condition.