Abstract
To examine the effectiveness of a low-intensity home-based aftercare service, 130 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder were randomized to receive either home aftercare or treatment-as-usual. In home aftercare, a general practitioner and a social worker made home visits once in a month after discharge from the hospital wherein they provided education and treatment. In a 1-year follow-up, home aftercare led to greater reduction in rehospitalization rate, more improvement in psychotic symptoms and global illness severity, as well as greater service satisfaction. The implementation of this low-intensity aftercare is recommended, especially in less resourceful settings.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by a grant from the Undersecretary of Research at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. We would like to thank Dr. Payam Sobhebidari, Dr. Alireza Manouchehri, Elham Miri, Faezeh Razmjoo, and Elnaz Moghaddasi for their kind contributions to the study.
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Sharifi, V., Tehranidoost, M., Yunesian, M. et al. Effectiveness of a Low-Intensity Home-Based Aftercare for Patients with Severe Mental Disorders: A 12-month Randomized Controlled Study. Community Ment Health J 48, 766–770 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-012-9516-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-012-9516-z