Impact of a case manager program on psychiatric aftercare.
Shifting the locus of aftercare planning from hospital to community can enhance continuity of care. The authors compared chronically mentally ill patients assessed and managed by community-based practitioners trained in psychiatric rehabilitation with patients whose discharge planning was arranged by inpatient staff members. They found significant differences between the two groups in aftercare needs identified, aftercare referrals made, and use of aftercare services. The authors conclude that this approach to psychiatric aftercare is superior to more traditional models if practitioners are carefully trained.
Wasylenki
D A
DA
Goering
P N
PN
Lancee
W J
WJ
Ballantyne
R
R
Farkas
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003256:Community Participation; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012017:Referral and Consultation