[An observational study of effectiveness in community residential facilities].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of community residential facilities effectiveness in the Department of Mental Health of Desio (Milan).


METHODS
Outcomes in symptoms, disability, family burden and quality of life were evaluated during one year through a longitudinal study, using a pre-test and post test design without control group.


RESULTS
Residential care is effective in reducing disability and symptoms, while it is not effective towards family burden. Quality of life is improved in some domains, but not in others (e.g. social and family relationships).


CONCLUSIONS
Outcome assessment is feasible in residential facilities, following a multiaxial and multifactorial model. We need to clarify the goals of residential care, focussing on active components of the residential treatment.
Lora
Antonio
A
Unità Operativa di Psichiatria di Desio (Milano), Azienda Ospedaliera "Ospedale Civile di Vimercate", Desio. antoniolora@virgilio.it
Contartese
Antonio
A
Franco
Maurizio
M
Lo Maglio
Maria Crocina
MC
Molteni
Emanuela
E
Pallavicin
Alessandra
A
Rasi
Elena
E
Rossini
Maristella
M
Violanti
Elisabetta
E
Lanzara
Dino
D
D000328:Adult; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012112:Residential Facilities