Off-Unit Activities Programming for Long-Stay Psychiatric Inpatients: Clinical and Administrative Effects

The significance of program site for inpatient therapeutic activities offered to chronic patients is rarely discussed. This paper reviews experiences with the development of a facility-wide off-unit activities program in a state psychiatric center. The organizational, clinical, and administrative implications of off-unit proramming are examined in relation to on-unit treatment ractices. iecommendations are made to assist the successful introauction of off-unit programming and the identification of the most effective location for specific activities.