CHANGING PATTERNS OF MENTAL HOSPITAL DISCHARGES AND READMISSIONS IN THE PAST TWO DECADES

The discharge and readmission pattern for the non-organic psychoses (chiefly schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychoses) was studied for three-year periods: immediately before extensive use of modern therapies (1940-42), when electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) alone was extensively used (1950-52), and finally when tranquillizers had been added (1956-58). Patients were followed up for four years after either admission or discharge. The cohort method was used. With the use of ECT alone discharge took place at an earlier period after admission but was associated with a higher rate of readmission. With the addition of tranquillizers the improvement in rate of discharge continued for the whole four years after admission and the readmission rate was reduced to that seen in the first period. The rate of changing factors other than specific therapies is discussed.