Korean J Schizophr Res.  2013 Oct;16(2):51-61. 10.16946/kjsr.2013.16.2.51.

Comparison between Users of Community Mental Health Services and Psychiatric Patients in Mental Health Related Facilities in Korea

• Lee SJ
• Choi JK
• Jung UJ
• Jang HS
• Kim S
• Park JI

• KMID: 2288324
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16946/kjsr.2013.16.2.51

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to compare the characteristics of psychiatric inpatients in mental health related facilities and community mental health services-utilizing patients by diverse factors in Korea.
METHODS
Questionnaires were sent via mail to 140 standard mental health centers from October to December of 2008. 64 facilities responded and data of 461 mentally disabled who are registered at and utilize the services of these mental health centers were analyzed. T-test and cross-analysis were performed to determine the differences in the averages of the variables and the discrepancy in ratios, respectively.
RESULTS
Differences between long-term psychiatric inpatients and community mental health services-utilizing patients were seen in characteristics such as gender, age, type of medical coverage, family support systems, diagnosis, age of onset, duration of hospitalization, community-dwelling period, and clinical symptoms and functions. It was significantly short in length of stay in facilities in users of community mental health services with comparison to institutionalized patients.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that invigoration of community mental health services is an alternative that can help deter long-term hospitalization.

Keyword

Length of stay; Long-term hospitalization; Community mental health service; Community mental health center

MeSH Terms

Age of Onset
Community Mental Health Services*
Diagnosis
Hospitalization
Humans
Inpatients
Korea*
Length of Stay
Mental Health*
Mentally Disabled Persons
Postal Service
Surveys and Questionnaires

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