A Follow-up of Chronic Patients Committed to Outpatient Treatment
Abstract
Data collected in a statewide study of psychiatric patients involved in civil commitment bearings in North Carolina were used to evaluate the effectiveness of outpatient commitment as a less restrictive alternative to involuntary hospitalization. Six months after the commitment bearings, outcome data for patients who were committed to outpatient treatment were compared with outcome data for patients who were released and patients who were involuntarily hospitalized. All three groups comprised patients who were chronically mentally ill, had previously been hospitalized, and had histories of medication refusal and dangerousness. Patients who were committed to outpatient treatment were significantly more likely than patients with the other two dispositions to utilize aftercare services and to continue in treatment.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).