[Evaluation of a community-based care system for mental patients]

The article describes the functioning of the new care system for mental patients introduced in 1969 in Manheim (West Germany) which includes the psychiatric clinic of the Central Institute of Mental Health and different extrahospital and intermediate psychiatric institutions. The authors analyze the activity of this system and come to the conclusion as to its beneficial results. However, the question is still undecided whether this system of treatment of large populations of schizophrenic patients will lead to better conditions of their life as compared with the conventional treatment. It is inferred that it would be more rational if the management of hostels and protected workshops for mental patients by the health authorities are taken over by social services and communities.