A preliminary follow-up study of patients treated at an inpatient psychotherapy unit

Abstract

Inpatient psychotherapeutic services for patients experiencing high levels of psychological distress are scarce in South Africa. Furthermore, follow-up research with patients receiving this type of mental health care is also limited. This study focuses on patients treated at an inpatient psychotherapeutic unit offering individual and group psychotherapies to adults, by assessing their experiences following admission to the unit. Patients’ experiences during their admission and since discharge from the unit, mental health status since admission, compliance in terms of outpatient mental health care, current quality of relationships with family and friends, and the impact of the patients’ mental illness on their work situation are examined. The challenges encountered in such research are also explored.