Trends in long-stay hospitalization in Denmark: a descriptive register study, 1972-1987.

By means of 4 cross-sections at 5-year intervals from 1972 to 1987, information on long-stay inpatients and daypatients was extracted from the computerized, cumulative psychiatric case register in Denmark. Long-stay refers to continuous hospitalization of more than 1 year. The prevalence of long-stay patients declined from 101 per 100,000 general population in 1972 to 38 per 100 000 in 1987. As the prevalence of all diagnoses declined, regardless of age and sex, it is suggested that the major cause of the observed trends is altered political and administrative strategies, influenced by and influencing altered capabilities and methods of treatment. The trends are described in detail and their implications discussed.