The Pattern of Discharge and Readmission in Norwegian Mental Hospitals, 1936-1963
ØRNULV ØDEGÅRD M.D.1
1 Professor of psychiatry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, and medical superintendent, Gaustad Mental Hospital, Oslo
This analysis of over 17,000 first admissions to psychiatric hospitals in Norway during the period 1936 to 1958 is based upon three separate four-year cohorts of patients admitted for psychoses. The data do not support the theory that the current rising rates of discharge and readmission reflect a "revolving door" pattern of multiple readmissions which can be traced to the introduction of psychoactive drug therapy.
