Investigating Discharge Destinations for Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract

An audit of hospital records of 542 patients diagnosed as having schizophrenia discharged in the years 1986–88 from the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, showed that 46% of patients left hospital to live with other family members, usually parents or spouses. Analysis of destination suggested that the extent of patient-family connectedness increases when the patient is younger, has had fewer admissions, or has had the illness for a shorter period of time.