Home-based versus out-patient/in-patient care for people with serious mental illness. Phase II of a controlled study.
BACKGROUND
The effect of a randomised controlled withdrawal of home-based care was studied for half of a sample of seriously mentally ill (SMI) patients from an inner London catchment area, compared with the effects of continuing home-based care.


METHODS
Patients, aged 18-64, had entered the trial at month 0 when facing emergency admission for SMI. After at least 20 months home-based care (Phase I), patients were randomised at month 30 into Phase II (months 30-45) to have either further home-based care (DLPII, n = 33) or be transferred to out-/in-patient care (DLP-control, n = 33). They were assessed at 30, 34, and 45 months. Phase I control patients (n = 70) were assessed again at month 45. Measures used were number and duration of in-patient admissions, independent ratings of clinical and social function, and patients' and relatives' satisfaction.


RESULTS
The slim clinical and social gains from home-based v. out-/in-patient care during Phase I were largely lost in Phase II. Duration of crisis admissions increased from Phase I to Phase II in both DLPII and DLP-control patients. During Phase II, patients' and relatives' satisfaction remained greater for home-based than out-/in-patient care patients. At 45 months, compared with the Phase I controls, DLPII patients and relatives were more satisfied with care. Such satisfaction was independent of clinical/social gains.


CONCLUSIONS
The loss of Phase I gains were perhaps due to attenuation of home-based care quality and to benefits of Phase I home-based care lingering into Phase II in DLP-controls. The Phase II home-based care team suffered from low morale.
Research Unit, Royal College of Psychiatrists, London.
B
B
Audini
I M
IM
Marks
R E
RE
Lawrence
J
J
Connolly
V
V
Watts
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013222:State Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*