title: Effectiveness of community services for discharged mental hospital patients.
abstract: This study of 579 state hospital patients charts the pattern of their care in the community in the two or three years following hospital discharge, and examines the relationship of aftercare services to readmission rates. Findings suggest that, among the most chronic patients, a substantial number of aftercare visits may be related to lower hospital readmission rates.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012803:Sick Role; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors