title: Pharmacological aftercare for homogeneous groups of patients.
abstract: In a study to evaluate the effectiveness of specific pharmacological treatment groups, former VA inpatients who have similar diagnoses and respond satisfatorily to drug treatment join a Prolixin group, a lithium group, or an affective disorder group. In monthly meetings patients learn about their illness, the importance of the taking medication as prescribed, and possible side-effects; they also receive psychological support. The 85 patients who joined the groups during the first 12 months attended 87.3 per cent of the sessions. Twenty per cent of them were rehospitalized, about half of them because they did not take medication as prescribed. The authors believe the groups are an economical and effective way to provide aftercare.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy; D000359:Aftercare; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006126:Group Processes; D006266:Health Education; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008094:Lithium; D005476:Fluphenazine