Predicting whether patients receive continuity of care after discharge from state hospitals: policy implications.

This article reports the results of a comprehensive study of predictors of factors influencing continuity of care for individuals discharged from state hospitals to communities. Continuity of care is defined and the predisposing, enabling and need factors are examined using a statewide database. The conceptual model is based on community support system principles, and it drives the research. The findings will influence policy, which will then affect community support system principles. Logistic regression analysis is employed as statistical analysis that lends itself to graphical form. Implications for policy and future research are presented.