BACKGROUND: Only 42% of initial appointments following psychiatric hospitalization are kept nationally. Missed appointments increase the likelihood of rehospitalization and increase costs of outpatient care. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the feasibility, outcomes, and cost of a transition intervention on attendance at the first postdischarge appointment. DESIGN: A pilot study using a one-group prospective design interviewed 15 patients hospitalized with psychosis to address potential barriers to attendance at the first postdischarge appointment. Patients also identified an agenda for this appointment and received a reminder letter. RESULTS: Twelve (92%) of 13 patients attended the postdischarge appointment compared with the previous rate of 44%. Two additional patients were unable to attend because they had been rehospitalized before the scheduled time of the first appointment. DISCUSSION: Contact with a clinician who can bridge the gap between discharge and the first postdischarge appointment is feasible and may be helpful in increasing attendance rates.
BACKGROUND: Only 42% of initial appointments following psychiatric hospitalization are kept nationally. Missed appointments increase the likelihood of rehospitalization and increase costs of outpatient care. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the feasibility, outcomes, and cost of a transition intervention on attendance at the first postdischarge appointment. DESIGN: A pilot study using a one-group prospective design interviewed 15 patients hospitalized with psychosis to address potential barriers to attendance at the first postdischarge appointment. Patients also identified an agenda for this appointment and received a reminder letter. RESULTS: Twelve (92%) of 13 patients attended the postdischarge appointment compared with the previous rate of 44%. Two additional patients were unable to attend because they had been rehospitalized before the scheduled time of the first appointment. DISCUSSION: Contact with a clinician who can bridge the gap between discharge and the first postdischarge appointment is feasible and may be helpful in increasing attendance rates.
Authors: Brian K Ahmedani; Leif I Solberg; Laurel A Copeland; Ying Fang-Hollingsworth; Christine Stewart; Jianhui Hu; David R Nerenz; L Keoki Williams; Andrea E Cassidy-Bushrow; Jeanette Waxmonsky; Christine Y Lu; Beth E Waitzfelder; Ashli A Owen-Smith; Karen J Coleman; Frances L Lynch; Ameena T Ahmed; Arne Beck; Rebecca C Rossom; Gregory E Simon Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2014-11-01 Impact factor: 3.084