Outcome of family therapy--two year follow-up

The authors report the findings of an evaluation exercise to assess the efficacy of brief, integrative, inpatient family therapy with a follow-up period of two years. The index patients and their families were assessed for improvement in symptoms and satisfaction in family life. The assessment was possible for 55% of the families, either in person or by post. Nearly 43% of the families reported good improvement, 8% reported no improvement at all and the remaining families reported varying degrees of improvement. Regularity of follow up visits and degree of improvement did not seem to be related. One fifth of the families had not reported for any follow up visits, but when assessed after two years reported good improvement and satisfaction with the treatment.