Psychiatric day hospitals: the patients and their preferences in treatment.

One hundred and sixty-five patients were seen after one week of day-hospital attendance, and 82 of them four weeks later. Their demographic characteristics, and their preferences in day-hospital treatment are described. Non specific factors of getting out of the home and mixing with other people, the opportunity to discuss problems, and taking part in various occupational activities concerned with improving coping skills were seen by the patients as valuable. Staff visits to the patient's home, family interviews and ward rounds were much less supported.