The daily living programme. Preliminary comparison of community versus hospital-based treatment for the seriously mentally ill facing emergency admission.

Muijen, M; Marks, I M; Connolly, J; Audini, B; McNamee, G · Br J Psychiatry · 1992

rct · Level II

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Abstract

Patients with a serious mental illness requiring admission were randomised to home care or standard hospital care. Over the initial 18 months, 60 patients entered each group and were studied for a mean of 10 months. Home care reduced hospital use by 80%, with patients being admitted for a mean of 14 days, compared with 72 days for the standard group, but this bed-saving made no difference in direct treatment costs. Home care offers individualised treatment, and many patients require continuing support with the emphasis on areas such as finances and housing.

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