Long-term follow-up of rehabilitated patients with chronic psychiatric illness in Ireland

In 1994 a 20-year retrospective study was conducted of 297 psychiatric patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation program in rural Ireland over a 15-year period (1974 to 1989). All patients were traced. Seventy-six percent had been discharged into the community, and two- thirds required supported housing. Fifty-five percent had experienced acute psychiatric readmissions, and 17 percent became new long-stay patients. The main criticisms of deinstitutionalization did not apply to these patients. No patient became homeless. One patient became involved in possible criminal activity. Four patients committed suicide, and the annual death rate was low-1.8 per 100 patients. The model of care involved was a key factor in the satisfactory outcome.