Hospital and community based psychiatry: A comparative study between a Danish and an Italian psychiatric service

Compared incidence rates and diagnoses of mental illness in an institution-based psychiatric service in Denmark (DK) and a community-based service in Italy (IY); both municipalities are served by a single psychiatric facility. Use of the services by both populations was studied, and all admissions and most contacts in 1982 were compared. The treatment approach in IY was based on involvement of the patients' families. The observed incidence of mental illness was similar in both areas at about 20 per 10,000 inhabitants. Admissions were much higher in DK; referrals to care in the community were much higher in IY. Manic-depressive psychosis was more frequently diagnosed in DK, while depressive neurosis was more commonly found in IY. Those with psychogeriatric disorders in IY were more often treated at home or in geriatric wards. Private hospitals were more often used in IY than in DK. (PsycLIT Database Copyright 1988 American Psychological Assn, all rights reserved)