Brief hospital treatment plans: innovations in practice and research

Hospital care for persons with mental health problems has changed dramatically in the past two decades. The emphasis on community-based models of care, cost containment, and the concern that psychiatric hospitalization may be ineffective or even harmful for some clients has led to the development of innovative hospital treatment programs. In this paper, the author examines a brief hospital treatment program developed for persons who have been identified, either previously or currently, with borderline personality disorder. The typical features of brief hospital plans, the lived experiences of five participants, and the changes in hospital utilization before and after the involvement in the program are discussed. The findings reveal the benefits as well as the limitations of this innovative program in improving the day-to-day lives of people with mental health problems. The methodology and results of this study provide direction for innovation and diversification in psychiatric nursing practice and research.