Length of Stay of Psychiatric Inpatients by Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics, and Type of Facilities

Suh, Tong Woo

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Recently the issue on the violation of human rights has been raised in mental health system in Korea. In these cirmstances this study was conducted to investigate the length of stay of psychiatric inpatients by sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and type of mental health facilities.
METHODS
The total 1,028 subjects were randomly selected from 22 mental health facilities, including mental hospitals, general hospitals, psychiatric clinics, mental health welfare facilities, welfare facilities for homelessness, and illegal asylums. The subjects were interviewed by psychiatrists and social workers with clinical experiences.
RESULTS
The average length of stay of psychiatric inpatients of mental health facilities in Korea was 1,368 days, and it was statistically different according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics such as sex, age, education, religion, economic status, type of medical security, degree of family support, living condition before admission, diagnosis, age of onset, and number of admissions. In addition, the length of stay was associated with the type of mental health facilities.
CONCLUSION
For more appropriated length of stay of psychiatric inpatients, not only various incentives for service suppliers are needed but also medical and socioeconomic incentives for patients and familiy members should be considered in order to facilitate their community-living.