The Home Treatment of Psychotic Patients: An Analysis of 154 Cases
ROGER E. MEYER M.D.1,
LAWRENCE F. SCHIFF PH.D.2, , and
ALVIN BECKER M.D.3
1 Research Psychiatrist, Center for Studies of Narcotic and Drug Abuse, National Institute of Mental Health, 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Md. 20203
2 Chief of Psychology, Adolescent Unit, Boston State Hospital, Boston, Mass.
3 Director of the Home Treatment Service, Boston State Hospital
The Home Treatment Service of Boston State Hospital seeks to provide alternatives to hospitalization for the mentally ill by means of a referral network in the community conducive to early therapeutic intervention and by drawing the family as well as the patient into the treatment alliance. Of 154 patients reported here, all of whom were initially diagnosed as functionally psychotic, the HTS was able to avert hospitalization for 62 percent. HTS was more effective in maintaining patients in the community than in enhancing community adjustment.
