Characteristics of New Patient Admissions to Aftercare
Abstract
Consecutive new admissions to a large urban psychiatric aftercare clinic over a nine-month period were surveyed on a variety of demographic variables as well as on psychiatric history, symptomatology, and social and domestic role performance. The findings revealed a group of chronically unemployed, socially isolated patients who had been hospitalized numerous times, and whose problems derived more from empty lives and inability to function rather than from psychopathological symptoms. The author concludes that aftercare clinics are generally unprepared to meet the needs of such patients. He questions the wisdom of continually discharging patients who will shortly be rehospitalized, and suggests that the criteria for discharge should include the capacity for social adjustment and independent living in the community.
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.).