title: [Social psychiatry in Switzerland].
abstract: Based on a previous questionnaire about psychiatric care in the Swiss cantons (and from other sources), the author tries to give an overview of the evolution of socio-psychiatric concepts, methods of treatment and changes in institutions in Switzerland during the last 10-15 years. According to certain criteria he shows that social psychiatry developed extensively in many places during this period. Most important are the new half-way-institutions (day- and night-hospitals, foster-homes, centers of rehabilitation, sheltered apartments etc.) which have been created; also, the number of coordinated, integrated socio-psychiatric services based on global concepts of care has increased. On the whole, this evolution has contributed nearly everywhere to a reduction of psychiatric beds and length of stay in hospital, and an improvement in the chances of rehabilitation and quality of life for long-term patients. There are, however, still great differences between the cantons. Contrary to initial exaggerated hopes, socio-psychiatric methods of treatment have not been able to solve the problems of chronification of psychoses, drug-addiction or geronto-psychiatric patients in a satisfactory way. - In order to improve the possibilities of future treatment, the development of socio-psychiatrically orientated, global concepts of care should be promoted including decentralized catchment areas, integrated in-patient, half-way and out-patient services and free access to resources of both internal and external services according to the local needs.
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends*; D003158:Community Psychiatry / Q000639:trends; D006208:Halfway Houses; D006801:Humans; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012106:Research; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric / Q000639:trends; D013557:Switzerland
vernacular_title: Sozialpsychiatrie in der Schweiz.