Am J Psychiatry 1975; 132:836-841
Copyright © 1975 by American Psychiatric Association
A problem-oriented system approach to analysis of treatment outcome
H Klonoff and B Cox
Data on 90 psychiatric patients' perceptions of the course and outcome of
hospitalization were gathered using a problem-oriented system. Patients
were interviewed on admission, at discharge, and at two follow- up
intervals. Therapists perceptions of patients' problems and their severity
were also assessed on patients' admission and at discharge. Although the
absolute number of problems reported by patients increased over time, there
was a significant decrease over time, there was a significant decrease in
the level of distress associated with problems on both patients' and
therapists' ratings. The dynamics of this improvement are discussed from
the perspectives of both patients and therapists.
