University of Virginia Library

Redecoration Ends Gloomy Psychiatric Wards

The gloomy institutional look of the
psychiatric wards at the University Hospital is a
thing of the past.

Gone are the crank-up beds and metal
nightstands. Rooms now have a living room

appearance. During the day, beds become
couches covered in gaily patterned fabrics. Dark
wood coffee and end tables have clean, modern
lines. Drapes at the large windows and paintings
on the walls tie together a restful color scheme.

"The old rooms were terribly depressing,"
said Vamik D. Volkan, associate professor of
psychiatry and director of the psychiatric
in-patient services. "Patients tended to stay in
bed all day as if they had physical ailments.

"Now the patient is encouraged to keep to
his normal living pattern rising in the
morning and keeping active during the day," he
said.

Behind the room redecoration lies a trend in
psychiatric care taking place throughout the
nation.

"In psychiatry a doctor works with the total
person," says Dr. Volkan. "Pleasant surroundings
encourage person-to-person relationships
between doctor and patient. The patient works
with the doctor."

Dr. Volkan headed the refurbishing committee
which called in professional interior
decorators to re-do the rooms in functional and
attractive furnishings.

Renovation of the wards included repainting
the halls and rooms in light colors - blues,
greens, beiges and yellows. In the solarium's
which double as patient dining rooms, modern
wood tables and molded plastic chairs have
replaced mismatched card tables and folding
chairs. Couches and coffee tables now provide
pleasant discussion areas.

Living Room Atmosphere Of David Ward After Redecoration

"The change from depressing hospital rooms
to attractive living areas has been immense,"
said Dr. Volkan. "Getting well includes many
things and the patients' surroundings are an
important variable."