The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences.

Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.

×
ArticleNo Access

Effectiveness and Cost of Community Care for Schizophrenic Patients

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.40.1.59

Schizophrenic patients in Mannbeim, West Germany, were studied to determine whether psychiatric treatment in the community reduces duration and frequency of rehospitalization, whether it has an impact on symptomatology and behavior, and whether it can be provided less expensively than hospital care. The findings showed a relationship between increased psychiatric outpatient treatment and lower levels of inpatient care as well as between psychiatric aftercare and reduced symptomatology and disease-related behavior. The cost of community care was found to be substantially lower than that of hospital care for less disabled patients, but it exceeded the cost of hospital care for the more severely disabled.

Access content

To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.