Outcome evaluation of a short-term mental health day treatment program.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a structured, 6-week mental health day treatment program was meeting its objectives and to examine the program's effectiveness with specific patient groups.


METHODS
Self-report questionnaires focusing on psychiatric symptoms, assertiveness, stress management, and social functioning were completed by patients directly prior to admission (pretest), at discharge (posttest), and at 4-month follow-up. Clinician ratings, including the DSM-III-R Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, were collected. Ninety-one participants completed pre- and posttests, and 51 completed the 4-month follow-up.


RESULTS
The majority of the participants displayed affective disorders or adjustment disorders. There was significant reduction in psychiatric symptoms and improvement in assertiveness, social functioning, and stress management from pretest to posttest. These gains were maintained at follow-up. All diagnostic groups responded similarly, except the bipolar disorder group.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that the program was meeting its objectives and offer strong support for the usefulness of short-term day treatment for wide range of patients. The bipolar group performed differently compared with the other subsamples. The reliability of the GAF scale and when it may be most useful are discussed.
Howes
J L
JL
Department of Psychology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Haworth
H
H
Reynolds
P
P
Kavanaugh
M
M
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000328:Adult; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D016896:Treatment Outcome