Health care utilization and cost after discharge from a mental health hospital; an RCT comparing community residential aftercare and treatment as usual.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Community residential aftercare (step-down) services can ease the transition after a mental health hospital stay for patients with severe mental illness (SMI).

Aims

To investigate use of community and specialised mental health care services and costs in patients with SMI the first 12 months after discharge from a mental health hospital (MHH), comparing community residential aftercare (CRA) and treatment as usual.

Methods

An open parallel group randomised controlled trial with 41 participants. Data on use of specialist services (hospital, ambulant treatment and outpatient treatment) and community services (residential stays, home help, home care nursing, mental health consultation) were collected from specialist and community registers and health records.

SUBMITTER: Roos E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6233284 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature