Problem analysis: an instrument in the rehabilitation of chronic psychiatric patients in the community.

In the light of governmental policy in European countries to enhance and reinforce community psychiatric services, the need to introduce a more systematic approach in the treatment of chronic psychiatric patients by the community psychiatric services is currently being stressed. In this paper the problem analysis (P.A.) is described. It is a practical, treatment-oriented instrument which methodically compiles information on chronic patients and their systems. The systematic acquisition and examination of such information provide clues to a rational rehabilitation plan, one that can be carried out by a multidisciplinary community psychiatric service. Such an approach has the added advantage of making education and research in the field feasible.