OBJECTIVE: In Upper Austria, a total of 409 long-stay patients were discharged to various residential facilities between 1995 and 2000. This paper describes psychopathology and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: A random sample of 116 former long-stay patients were followed for an average 42.9 months after discharge. RESULTS: Patients had spent an average 19.3 years in psychiatric wards. 47 patients (40.5 %) were placed in nursing homes, 16 patients (13.8 %) in old-age homes, 32 patients (27.6 %) in other institutions and only 15 patients (12.9 %) in group homes, and 6 patients (5.2 %) with families. ICD-10 diagnosis was schizophrenia in 56 patients (48.3 %) and mental retardation in 33 patients (28.4 %). Level of social and functional disabilities was high. CONCLUSIONS: Most long-stay patients were able to live outside psychiatric hospitals, but institutional care still plays an essential role.
OBJECTIVE: In Upper Austria, a total of 409 long-stay patients were discharged to various residential facilities between 1995 and 2000. This paper describes psychopathology and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: A random sample of 116 former long-stay patients were followed for an average 42.9 months after discharge. RESULTS:Patients had spent an average 19.3 years in psychiatric wards. 47 patients (40.5 %) were placed in nursing homes, 16 patients (13.8 %) in old-age homes, 32 patients (27.6 %) in other institutions and only 15 patients (12.9 %) in group homes, and 6 patients (5.2 %) with families. ICD-10 diagnosis was schizophrenia in 56 patients (48.3 %) and mental retardation in 33 patients (28.4 %). Level of social and functional disabilities was high. CONCLUSIONS: Most long-stay patients were able to live outside psychiatric hospitals, but institutional care still plays an essential role.
Authors: Stefan M Bartusch; Bernd R Brüggemann; Hermann Elgeti; Marc Ziegenbein; Wielant Machleidt Journal: Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health Date: 2007-11-26