Effectiveness and application of partial hospitalization.

Especially during the past 15 years, partial hospitalization (PHP) has been studied extensively. This article reviews the effectiveness and applicability of PHP. To clarify where PHP might fit into the overall mental health care system, the results of empirical research are evaluated with special attention to topics such as treated population, program evaluation, comparison of PHP with inpatient treatment, PHP as alternative to outpatient treatment, comparison of different PHP's, cost effectiveness and burden on the family. The general conclusion is that PHP can be a reasonable alternative to inpatient as well as to outpatient treatment, taking into account factors such as symptomatology, cost and family burden. PHP seems in particular to enhance social role functioning, which might be attributed to the fact that contact between patient and environment is not disturbed by hospitalization. Suggestions for further research are presented. Furthermore it is recommended in order to improve generalizability of results to differentiate the different functions PHP can fulfil in the mental health care system.