Effects of Home Visit Intervention on Re-hospitalization Rates in Psychiatric Patients

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders are associated with high re-hospitalization rates and significant healthcare costs.
• Home visit interventions (HoVIs) are implemented to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of home visit interventions (HoVIs) on re-hospitalization rates and National Health Insurance (NHI) costs in patients with psychiatric disorders.
• To determine the optimal frequency of HoVIs for achieving significant reductions in re-hospitalization and associated costs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study comparing three groups: HoVI group (≥3 visits), HoVI < 4 group (≤3 visits), and non-HoVI group (no visits).
• Analysis of re-hospitalization rates, hospitalization days, and NHI costs across the defined groups.
• Comparison of pre- and post-intervention metrics for patients receiving HoVIs.

Main Results:

• The HoVI group demonstrated significantly lower re-hospitalization rates, hospitalization days, and NHI costs compared to the non-HoVI group.
• No significant differences in re-hospitalization rates or hospitalization days were observed between the HoVI < 4 group and the non-HoVI group.
• A significant decrease in re-hospitalization rates and NHI costs was noted after HoVIs compared to before.

Conclusions:

• Receiving more than three home visit interventions is effective in reducing re-hospitalization, hospitalization duration, and healthcare expenditures for psychiatric patients.
• HoVIs, particularly when delivered intensively (more than 3 visits), enhance the Community Rehabilitation Program's effectiveness.