BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation can be carried out at various sites. METHOD: Two groups of patients with severe mental disorders were compared: those included in community rehabilitation service and those only attending an outpatient clinic regarding their clinical status, social functioning, standard of living and quality of life. RESULTS: We found no significant global differences in group characteristics, social functioning and clinical status, but we did prove the lower social status of the group included in the rehabilitation service and their satisfaction with the services they use. CONCLUSIONS: The community rehabilitation services in Slovenia are coping with existential social needs of their users but this study failed to demonstrate their success in improving health or social functioning.
BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation can be carried out at various sites. METHOD: Two groups of patients with severe mental disorders were compared: those included in community rehabilitation service and those only attending an outpatient clinic regarding their clinical status, social functioning, standard of living and quality of life. RESULTS: We found no significant global differences in group characteristics, social functioning and clinical status, but we did prove the lower social status of the group included in the rehabilitation service and their satisfaction with the services they use. CONCLUSIONS: The community rehabilitation services in Slovenia are coping with existential social needs of their users but this study failed to demonstrate their success in improving health or social functioning.