Investigating discharge destinations for schizophrenic patients

R Bland1, C A Harrison

  • 1Department of Social Work and Social Policy, University of Queensland.

An audit of hospital records of 542 patients diagnosed as having schizophrenia discharged in the years 1986-88 from the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, showed that 46% of patients left hospital to live with other family members, usually parents or spouses. Analysis of destination suggested that the extent of patient-family connectedness increases when the patient is younger, has had fewer admissions, or has had the illness for a shorter period of time.

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