title: Evaluation of the Alumni Program. A shared-care model for psychosis.
abstract: This article describes the results of a prospective, naturalistic evaluation of the Alumni Program, conducted by the Psychotic Disorders Clinic at the McMaster Site of Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The Alumni Program is a form of continuing psychiatric support offered to individuals with psychosis. The program involves providing shared care by both the specialist psychiatric team and the family practitioner. This model has been in operation for more than 8 years. The clinical data have been reviewed to determine whether the program is beneficial in supporting clients with their health maintenance goals, thus reducing occurrences of relapse, hospital readmission, and crisis or emergency room visits. The results appear favorable and affirm the Alumni Program is one viable method of follow up within a comprehensive range of psychiatric services.
authors.affiliation: Psychotic Disorders Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, McMaster Campus, Box 2000, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5. heather.hobbs@sympatico.ca
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Jane Hamilton
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Archie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009864:Ontario; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support