Multifaceted impact evaluation of a day hospital compared to hospitalization on symptoms, social participation, service satisfaction and costs associated to service use.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared clinical and functional changes, satisfaction with services and costs associated to service use, in participants treated in a day hospital for adults and seniors organized by diagnostic groups, with clients hospitalised.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental design was used. The experimental group was composed of clients (N = 40) treated in a day hospital. The comparison group included clinically and demographically similar clients hospitalised in the same institution (N = 13). Outcomes were symptoms, social participation, self-esteem, service satisfaction, utilization and associated costs.

RESULTS

During the index intervention, the level of improvement was significantly greater in the day hospital group regarding symptoms (P = 0.047), self-esteem (P = 0.01) and social participation (accomplishment: P = 0.02; satisfaction: P = 0.008). Following discharge, there was no significant difference in the level of change between the two groups on all variables. Day hospital participants were significantly more satisfied of several dimensions of services (P ≤ 0.01). Comparison of total mean costs of services used 6 months before and after index treatment showed a cost reduction of 38% in the day hospital group and 7% in the hospitalisation group.

CONCLUSIONS

Day hospitals organized by diagnostic groups lead to positive clinical and economical outcomes over time.