The varieties of readmission: the case against the use of recidivism rates as a measure of program effectiveness.
The many kinds and functions of rehospitalization--frequently having little, if anything, to do with the recidivist's psychiatric status per se--are examined. It is suggested that the use of recidivism rates may blind evaluators, program planners, and practitioners to the multiplicity of dynamics involved in the rehospitalization process.
D001290:Attitude; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005190:Family; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment