Past Issues

Objectives: An investigation on the outcome of applying a case management model for the schizophrenic patients who received the community psychiatric services. Methods: The schizophrenic patients were followed by the case management center for whether receiving psychiatric services after discharge from the psychiatric teaching hospital between November 1, 2002 and May 31, 2004. The patients who did not return to the hospital within one month after discharge were referred to the community care team, providing the patients with persistent telephone counseling and other community services. Results: There were total 681 cases, and most of them were single, male and high school graduates. The average age was 37.8 (SD=11.5).We provided the systemic operation on the continuously psychiatric services after discharge from hospital, especially for the patients who did not return to the hospital within one or three month. After the telephone counseling service, the outpatient department (OPD) follow-up rate after discharge was 81.4%(554/681). After the second telephone counseling service for the patients who did not return to the hospital within one month, 26% (33/127) patients of whom returning to the hospital, which raised the follow-up rate up to 86.2% (587/681). There were only13.3% (4/30) patients who did not return to the OPD within three months came back by continuously providing with home care community service. Conclusion: Though we provided the patients with persistent telephone counseling and community service, the OPD follow up rate for the patients who did not return to the hospital within three months was lower than those who discharged within one month. If the patients do not continue to receive follow- up cares, they should be given early intervention to decrease the risk of relapse and re-hospitalization. (Full text in Chinese)