Am J Psychiatry 1993; 150:501-504
Copyright © 1993 by American Psychiatric Association
A pilot study of assertive community treatment for patients with chronic psychotic disorders
AB Santos, GD Hawkins, B Julius, PA Deci, TH Hiers and BJ Burns
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
This study measured hospital utilization and residential status of 51
patients with chronic psychoses before and after a 1-year program of
assertive community treatment. Time hospitalized was reduced by 94%, and
82% of the patients previously living in hospitals or group homes attained
independent living status, suggesting that this form of clinical management
may reduce institutional care and costs to mental health care systems.
