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Day-Hospital and Community Treatment for Acute Psychiatric Illness

A Critical Appraisal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Francis Creed ,
Dawn Black  and
Philip Anthony
Francis Creed*
Affiliation:
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Dawn Black
Affiliation:
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Philip Anthony
Affiliation:
Manchester Royal Infirmary
*
∗Department of Psychiatry, Rawnsley Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13
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Abstract

Findings on the efficacy of day-hospital and community treatment for acutely ill psychiatric patients have been contradictory. This review confirms the methodological problems previously noted, but highlights the variation in feasibility of day care: staffing levels and the attitudes of staff appear to have been responsible, along with the severity and chronicity of illness. The comparison of day and in-patient care to see which is 'superior’ has been unrewarding, and further research is needed. Day-hospital treatment is unlikely to be more widely used for acutely ill patients until: (a) there is clear evidence that certain patients are best treated in this way; (b) the social and clinical characteristics of such patients are defined; (c) adequate staffing is achieved (i.e. day care is not regarded as a cheap option); and (d) day centres are available for chronic patients.

Type
Review Articles
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 154 , Issue 3 , March 1989 , pp. 300 - 310
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1989 

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