[Many faces of deinstitutionalization--sociological interpretation].
The article summarizes in an international perspective what kind of results psychiatric deinstitutionalization has brought so far: a profound change of size and functions of the psychiatric hospital; better services for people with less severe problems; and the failing of community services to compensate for some of the functions of the former asylums, resulting in trans-institutionalization and/or neglect for many chronic patients. Three different sociological versions to explain the background and typical outcomes of psychiatric deinstitutionalization have been brought forward so far: political economy, professional dominance and post-structuralism. They are confronted with an approach using the concept of medicalisation which offers a more comprehensive understanding of the process.
Forster
R
R
Institut für Soziologie der Universität Wien.
D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D003688:Deinstitutionalization / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D005858:Germany; D014943:Global Health; D006271:Health Facility Closure; D006754:Hospital Restructuring; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000639:trends*; D011049:Social Control Policies / Q000191:economics*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors