TY - JOUR
T1 - Where next with residential alternatives to admission?
AU - Johnson, Sonia
AU - Lloyd-Evans, Brynmor
AU - Howard, Louise
AU - Osborn, David P. J.
AU - Slade, Mike
PY - 2010/8
Y1 - 2010/8
N2 - The quest for alternatives to traditional psychiatric wards has a long history but methodological difficulties have limited research into their benefits. Two UK studies suggest that community-based residential alternatives are valued by service users and may be cost-effective. Establishing and/or maintaining such services, where they function as an integrated component of local acute care pathways, is a justifiable decision. However, our findings do not provide compelling evidence that they should be seen as essential in every catchment area. Quality of therapeutic relationships appears central to service user experiences, and future research should explore how this may be improved in both hospital and community settings.
AB - The quest for alternatives to traditional psychiatric wards has a long history but methodological difficulties have limited research into their benefits. Two UK studies suggest that community-based residential alternatives are valued by service users and may be cost-effective. Establishing and/or maintaining such services, where they function as an integrated component of local acute care pathways, is a justifiable decision. However, our findings do not provide compelling evidence that they should be seen as essential in every catchment area. Quality of therapeutic relationships appears central to service user experiences, and future research should explore how this may be improved in both hospital and community settings.
U2 - 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.081125
DO - 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.081125
M3 - Editorial
SN - 1472-1465
VL - 197
SP - S52 - S54
JO - British Journal of Psychiatry
JF - British Journal of Psychiatry
IS - SUPPL. 53
ER -
