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Clinical Usefulness of an Aftercare Worker for Psychotic Patients Discharged from Half-way Houses in Hong Kong

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Ki-Yan Mak  and
Lyn Gow
Ki-Yan Mak*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong
Lyn Gow
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education, University of Western Sydney, Australia
*
Dr Mak, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
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Abstract

Background

The aim was to assess the clinical usefulness and economic viability of an aftercare worker for psychotic patients discharged from half-way houses in Hong Kong.

Method

A sample of 32 chronic psychotic patients was provided with a full-time aftercare worker. A matched control group received no such service.

Results

The experimental group was found to have greater and better employment prospects, better mental status with less hospitalisation and less law-breaking behaviour than the control group. Some of these benefits were converted into economic terms and the tangible costs incurred in the project were calculated.

Conclusions

The provision of an aftercare service is clinically useful and economically viable.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 6 , June 1996 , pp. 757 - 761
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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