[The experience of the reading group in the psychiatric inpatient unit of Desio (Lombardy Region, Northern Italy)].

Objectives: to evaluate the possible advantages secondary to the introduction of a reading group in an acute psychiatric inpatient unit.

Design: before-after study.

Setting And Participants: the study was conducted at the acute psychiatric inpatient unit of Desio (Lombardy Region, Northern Italy). Each admitted patients was included in the study. The patients were stratified as follow: the group of patients admitted between 01.03.2016 and 28.02.2017 (No. 472; before the introduction of the reading group) and the group of patients admitted between 01.03.2017 and 01.03.2018 (No. 515; after the introduction of the reading group).

Main Outcome Measures: the following objective parameters were analysed: mean length of stay, number and mean length of the involuntary treatment, number and mean length of the physical restraint. We also analysed the results of the Maslach Burnout Inventory administered to the nursing staff (No. 20) before and after the introduction of the reading group to evaluate emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment of the staff members.

Results: we observed a significant statistical reduction of the mean length of stay (3 days), of the mean length of the involuntary treatment (2 days), of the mean length and number of the physical restraint (16 hours and 30 episodes). Analysing the results of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, we also observed a reduction of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and an increase of personal accomplishment.

Conclusion: a cheap, easy, reproducible, versatile intervention such as the reading group generated objective and subjective improvements explained by the creation of an atmosphere of active participation and sharing and by the increment in the satisfaction for the received care.