[Home care effectiveness in preventing rehospitalization of acute schizophrenic patients]

ABSTRACT

Frequent rehospitalization is one of the complications in treatment of schizophrenic patients. The present study was design to determine the effectiveness of home care service in preventing rehospitalization of schizophrenic patients. A semi-experimental study was conducted with 48 schizophrenic patients who were randomly allocated in two groups of intervention and control [20 patients in each group]. Home care services after discharge were delivered to the intervention group for three months. Control group received routine services included appointing a date for next visit at psychiatric clinic. Both groups were followed up for six months, after discharge. They were compared for their rate of rehospitalization. Chi square and Student's t-test were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that rate of rehospitalization after three month follow up was%25 [6 of 24 patients] in control group and zero in interventional group which was significantly different [P<0.001]. Six months later, the rate turned to%21 [5 of 24 patients] in intervention group and%46 [11 of 24 patients] in control group which was significantly different [P=0.002] as well. Home care after discharge reduces rehospitalization of schizophrenic patients