The study assessed one-year outcomes for 110 clients with serious mental
illness who were randomly assigned to an assertive community rehabilitation
program that provides psychiatric rehabilitation services in community
settings or to hospital-based rehabilitation programs. Key elements of the
community program include a multidisciplinary team on call 24 hours a day,
in vivo treatment, and instruction and assistance in basic living skills.
Data from client interviews after one year of service were used to assess
clients' quality of life, satisfaction with services, and psychopathology.
Clients in the assertive community rehabilitation program were more likely
to be maintained in community settings and reported better quality of life
than clients in the hospital-based programs.
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