A patient-based voucher system of brief hospitalisation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical use of a patient-based voucher system for brief hospitalisation.

CLINICAL PICTURE

A 31-year-old male, chronically disabled, with schizophrenia, polysubstance, and borderline personality disorders presented concerns for the treating team.

TREATMENT

Management was community based except for a single admission in which the patient chose the timing and duration via a predetermined set of vouchers.

OUTCOME

In contrast to previous admissions, a patient-chosen, voucher-based admission was single, brief and uneventful.

CONCLUSIONS

Novel approaches to chronically disabled patients with psychiatric illness enable change from therapeutic pessimism. A patient-based voucher system seemed to be of use in one patient.