Classification system for the chronic mentally ill outpatient.

A system for identification and classification of the chronic mentally ill in the outpatient mental health sector is proposed, integrating three criteria: duration of illness, functional disability, and psychiatric diagnosis. Previous psychiatric hospitalization of a patient is used to determine their level of severity within the system. An example of the operationalism of these criteria is provided, along with validation of the system by using treatment and sociodemographic variables and indicators of the patient's level of functioning.