Background Continuity of care Has been monitored rarely in Italian community mental HealtH centres. Aims To estimate the long-term probability of leaving care in first-contact patients attending an out-patient service, and to identify patients most likely to drop out. Method All patients who Had a first contact with tHe community mental health centre of Magenta during al-year recruitment period were followed up for 24 montHs. Patients wHo failed to return after the last out-patient visit were regarded as Jrop-outs'. Results During the I-year recruitment period 330 subjects were attHeir first contact.The I-year incidence offirstcontact patients was nearly 33 per 10 000 inhabitants. At follow-up, 46% of patients Had dropped out. In comparison witH patients witH psycHoses, subjects suffering from neurotic (P-O.004) and personality disorders (P-0.029) were more likely to drop out. Conclusions In tHe Italian system of community psycHiatric care nearly Half of the patients are no longer in contact after 2 years.Those who stay in treatment are more likely to suffer from psycFiosis, suggesting a commitment of Italian outpatient facilities to tackling the needs of patients witH more severe disorders.
Monitoring community psychiatric services in Italy: differences between patients who leave care and those who stay in treatment
BARBUI, Corrado
2002-01-01
Abstract
Background Continuity of care Has been monitored rarely in Italian community mental HealtH centres. Aims To estimate the long-term probability of leaving care in first-contact patients attending an out-patient service, and to identify patients most likely to drop out. Method All patients who Had a first contact with tHe community mental health centre of Magenta during al-year recruitment period were followed up for 24 montHs. Patients wHo failed to return after the last out-patient visit were regarded as Jrop-outs'. Results During the I-year recruitment period 330 subjects were attHeir first contact.The I-year incidence offirstcontact patients was nearly 33 per 10 000 inhabitants. At follow-up, 46% of patients Had dropped out. In comparison witH patients witH psycHoses, subjects suffering from neurotic (P-O.004) and personality disorders (P-0.029) were more likely to drop out. Conclusions In tHe Italian system of community psycHiatric care nearly Half of the patients are no longer in contact after 2 years.Those who stay in treatment are more likely to suffer from psycFiosis, suggesting a commitment of Italian outpatient facilities to tackling the needs of patients witH more severe disorders.
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