Small supportive treatment units and the problem of recidivism in indigent chronic schizophrenic patients.

This is report of a three and a half year follow-up of uprooted chronic schizophrenics, who had become disposition problems at the time of discharge from a state psychiatric hospital. One group of 14 was discharged to themselves, another in small supporting units. The results are encouraging and may throw some light into the problem of recidivisim. All patients were diagnosed chronic schizophrenic. They had multiple hospitalizations, came from the same catchment area, and were followed by the same therapist in the same hospital setting.