Components and Effectiveness of Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs: A Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: Inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation plays a critical role in the recovery of adults with serious mental illness (SMI), offering structured, supportive care to improve functioning and community integration. Despite its clinical relevance, there is considerable heterogeneity in how these programs are structured, delivered, and evaluated. This scoping review aimed to map the core components and reported outcomes of adult inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation programs and to identify elements associated with program effectiveness. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar) were systematically searched for articles published between inception and 2024. Studies were eligible if they described inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation programs for adults and reported on clinical, functional, or system-level outcomes. Data extraction included program characteristics, intervention components, effectiveness indicators, and study limitations. A qualitative thematic synthesis was conducted, and methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Core rehabilitation components included structured psychosocial interventions (e.g., CBT, psychoeducation), vocational and occupational support, recovery-oriented goal setting, and transitional care planning. Most programs demonstrated positive outcomes, including reduced readmissions, improved functional and psychosocial functioning, and enhanced quality of life. Effectiveness appeared to be influenced by the duration of rehabilitation, multidisciplinary team involvement, and continuity of care post-discharge. However, outcome measures varied considerably, and few studies used standardized assessment tools or included long-term follow-up. Conclusions: This review highlights common features of effective inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation programs and underscores the need for standardized outcome measures, implementation fidelity assessments, and longitudinal research. Findings can guide service planning, inform policy development, and support recovery-oriented inpatient care.