ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to illustrate the effects of community-based psychiatry. The catchment area was divided into three homogeneous districts, East, North and West. Teams were established on 1.9. 1990, 1.10.91 and 1.5.1992, respectively. Social, diagnostic and treatment related data were gathered from two cross-sectional investigations (I: February 1992 and II: February 1993) and from in-patients and out-patients files. In cross-section I a majority of long-term ward patients and hospital-based employment offers was found in the district where the community district team had not yet been established. In the district where the first community district team was established most primary target patients were treated. In cross-section II the hospital-based psychiatric service were more homogeneously distributed between the districts. The establishment of community-based psychiatric teams resulted in new referrals, and increasing numbers of patients becoming attached to the psychiatric teams, but crowding and use of compulsory measures in hospital also increased.
Subject(s)
Community Mental Health Services , Community Networks , Community Psychiatry , Mental Disorders/therapy , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Denmark , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Middle Aged , Referral and ConsultationABSTRACT
A prospective survey of all registered treatment or measures carried out against the wishes of the patients during the first year after enforcement of the new Danish legislation in 1989 in the Psychiatric Hospital in Aalborg is presented. A total of 376 treatment situations and measures were registered. These involved 235 patients. It was found that 79 forced admissions had occurred together with 36 situations where patients who had been admitted voluntarily were forced to remain in hospital. The survey does not demonstrate any major change in the pattern of enforced measures and treatment after introduction of the new legislation. The working conditions for the new advisors for patients prescribed by the new law are described. These were found to be badly paid, idealistic and hard working. The daily administration of the law has been found to be quite bureaucratic. In addition, complains by patients concerning enforced measures and treatment are described. It is found that no verdicts contradict the steps taken by the hospital.
