["Schizophrenia has many faces" - evaluation of the Austrian Anti-Stigma-Campaign 2000-2002]. / "Schizophrenie hat viele Gesichter" - Evaluierung der österreichischen Anti-Stigma-Kampagne 2000-2002.

OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the WPA campaign "Open the Doors - against Stigma and Discrimination because of Schizophrenia", five years upon completion of the campaign, a comparative study was performed to assess the possible changes in the general public's attitudes towards schizophrenia. METHODS: Representative population survey, based on a Quota-sampling (n = 988); face-to-face interviews with standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: The results of this study were somewhat sobering, with 22.3 % of the population not having any associations with the term "schizophrenia", 81.3 % not wanting to be further informed about the illness, and 64.1 % agreeing with the statement that patients suffering from schizophrenia are dangerous; compared to the survey in 1998, there was a significant increase within this category. Furthermore, an increase of social distance towards this group of patients has also been noted. CONCLUSION: It is to be asked whether a short intervention can change people's profound attitudes.

[Deinstitutionalization of long-stay psychiatric patients in upper Austria -- utilization of healthcare resources and costs of outpatient care]. / Die Enthospitalisierung ehemaliger psychiatrischer Langzeitpatienten in Oberösterreich -- Inanspruchnahme von Versorgungsleistungen und Kosten der ausserstationären Versorgung.

OBJECTIVE: The study was intended to evaluate the therapeutic and healthcare services utilized by 116 former long-stay patients after an average of 42.9 months of deinstitutionalization during a follow-up time of (1/2) year and to calculate the costs thus incurred. METHODS: 116 patients and their caregivers were interviewed during a period of 6 months using the German version of the Client Sociodemographic and Service Receipt Inventory. RESULTS: On average, 3.3 institutions/facilities were contacted per patient, most often by younger patients living in group homes and least often by patients in psychiatric nursing homes. During the 6-month follow-up time costs of euro 14,665 were incurred per patient. Of these costs, 87.2 % were for the residential facilities. The costs of outpatient care accounted for 41.4 % of the costs that would have been incurred for inpatient care in a psychiatric hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Deinstitutionalization of psychiatric long-stay patients in Upper Austria provided for considerable reductions in costs while maintaining a high quality of care.

[Needs for care of former long-stay-patients living outside of the psychiatric hospital]. / Der Versorgungsbedarf ehemaliger psychiatrischer Langzeitpatienten.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the needs for care of 116 former long-stay patients during the first 42.9 months after discharge. METHOD: Patients and mental health professionals rated needs using the "Berliner Bedürfnisinventar" (Berlin Needs for Care Inventory). RESULTS: Out of a total of 16 needs areas, patients reported a mean number of 7.6 needs, therapists reported 10 needs. Patients with lower global functioning scores showed a significantly lower number of needs, while patients living in psychiatric nursing homes and patients with learning disabilities had a significantly higher number of needs. In most areas, agreement between patients' and therapists' assessment was good to moderate. In most areas the rate of unmet versus total needs was above 90 %. Patients received help almost exclusively from institutions or mental health services. CONCLUSION: The care needs of discharged patients were generally met and placement in institutions was considered appropriate.

[Deinstitutionalization of long-stay psychiatric patients in upper austria - living situation, social and clinical characteristics more than one year after discharge]. / Die Enthospitalisierung psychiatrischer Langzeitpatienten in Oberösterreich - soziodemografische und klinische Daten.

OBJECTIVE: In Upper Austria, a total of 409 long-stay patients were discharged to various residential facilities between 1995 and 2000. This paper describes psychopathology and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: A random sample of 116 former long-stay patients were followed for an average 42.9 months after discharge. RESULTS: Patients had spent an average 19.3 years in psychiatric wards. 47 patients (40.5 %) were placed in nursing homes, 16 patients (13.8 %) in old-age homes, 32 patients (27.6 %) in other institutions and only 15 patients (12.9 %) in group homes, and 6 patients (5.2 %) with families. ICD-10 diagnosis was schizophrenia in 56 patients (48.3 %) and mental retardation in 33 patients (28.4 %). Level of social and functional disabilities was high. CONCLUSIONS: Most long-stay patients were able to live outside psychiatric hospitals, but institutional care still plays an essential role.