Maria Załuska, Jolanta Paszko, Dorota Suchecka, Zofia Traczewska
The influence of the new social help faiclities on the reduction of hospitalisations of chronically mentally ill patients 25
Summary: Goal: Evaluation of new social help facilities - Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (VRC), Community Centre of Mutual Help (CCOMH), and Specialised Social Help Services (SSHS) at home - in order to reduce psychiatric hospitalisations
Method: The observation was conducted in the Warsaw Bródno District in 73 chronically mentally ill patients admitted for the first time - in 1997 or 1998 - to VRC, CCOMH, and SSHS. The numbers, mean length, and total length of full-time, part-time, and "home hospitalisations" were compared in two 2-year periods (before and after the admission)
Results: During 2 years after the admission to VRC, CCOMH, SSHS, the number, mean and total length of all the hospitalisations was decreased. However in particular the full-time and part-time hospitalisations, but not "home hospitalisations" were reduced. The most significant reduction of full-time hospitalisations was observed with a combination of attendance to the day centre (VRC or CCOMH), with simultaneously receiving SSHS at home. The reduction of the part time hospitalisations referred to the persons who attended VRC or CCOMH; but not the patients receiving SSHS.
Conclusions: The implementation of the new social help facilities reduces the number of full-time hospitalisations, especially by the patients receiving the combination of attendance to the day centre (VRC or CCOMH) with simultaneous SSHS service at home. The attendance to VRC, or CCOMH, but not the use of SSHS at home reduces the number of the part - time hospitalisations. The analysis of requirements for out-patient treatment of recipients of the new social help services is needed.
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