Adolescents in a general hospital psychiatric unit

The population of 42 adolescents admitted to the Sunnybrook Adolescent Unit in 1977 is described and compared with other populations of general hospital units previously presented in the literature, in order to derive implications for patient selection, treatment techniques and outcome. Analysis of historical, family, and mental status variables provided a cluster of factors leading to successful or unsuccessful treatment in the hospital. Three global types of patients emerged, based on diagnostic groups who have different treatment experiences in hospital, and who require three distinctly different types of treatment programs. Limitations of treatment are also discussed.