The effect of intensive case management on hospitalization of patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE

The study aim was to determine if a community-based psychiatric rehabilitation program with intensive case management was more effective than traditional outpatient services in reducing hospitalization of chronic schizophrenic patients.

METHODS

One hundred twelve schizophrenic patients enrolled in the intensive case management program were matched by age, number of previous hospitalizations, and days spent in the hospital with 112 schizophrenic patients who received medication services and minimal case management. The two groups were compared on the amount of services used and the number of hospitalizations and hospital days over a 24-month study period.

RESULTS

Patients in the intensive case management program had been enrolled for a mean of 10.96 months, with a range from one to 24 months. They used significantly more mental health services during the study period compared with the patients in the control group. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in number of hospitalizations and hospital days. Both groups showed an increase in the number of hospitalizations over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

A community-based psychiatric rehabilitation program with intensive case management was no more effective than medication services and minimal case management in reducing hospitalization among chronic schizophrenic patients.