[The Italian reform, 18 years after: history, execution and consequences].

In 1978 a radical psychiatric reform was passed in Italy, that revolutionized the mental health delivery system. The reform has attracted international attention for its resolute commitment to getting rid of the traditional state hospital and implementing a nationwide mental health system without this type of hospital. The paper begins by depicting its preparation, then after charting the main features of the reform and its implications, it moves on to providing data on the implementation. In the following years relevant legislation has supplemented the reform and is covered in the paper. Other concurrent elements of the implementation process are mentioned and existing empirical studies reviewed.