Care practices and medications: a psychiatric hospital ethnography

Abstract

This paper presents a fragment of an ethnographic study on the social life of residents in a psychiatric hospital, focusing on the unique ways in which permanent residents navigate life within the institution. The study examines the relationships between treatments, care practices, and medications, categorized into two main groups: 1) medications related to mental health conditions, commonly referred to as "psychotropics"; and 2) "general medications," used for other everyday issues such as pain and discomfort. Findings reveal that an increase in medication use leads to a perceived reduction in the need for professional care, while a shortage of medications prompts residents to engage in care practices themselves. Psychotropic treatments were widely utilized, but when residents experienced other discomforts, they faced delays in receiving attention. In these situations, residents skillfully navigated institutional routines, negotiating with its constraints to address emergencies and maintain their well-being.