| Learning Objective #1: Be aware of the fact that it is possible for schizophrenians to recover | |||
| Learning Objective #2: See how difficult it is for young schizophrenians to transfer given information from hospital to his home |
We have correlated the patients with the staff-member for one month. Thereafter, this staff-member gains the title of project manager for the month just after the discharge. This personal contact substitutes documents and written instructions. During the years of 2002-2003 the project manager has observed and supported the 14 patients with such success that only 2 of them (1 only for a short time) have been rehospitalized. Actually, this sort of discharge will be implemented as the standard procedure at our hospital. What can be concluded is: - The patients show a good compliance - They do not need an increase in medication during their discharge - They realise the importance of not changing modern medication
One of our presumptions was that the discharges would become more equal in their performances under these circumstances. However, they have turned out to be just as diverse as usual. We can maintain the statement that patient suffering from schizophrenia wants - a recognizable person who has overview of needs - an identified person to turn to who will take interest.
The project manager has followed the patients from the mental hospital to halfway houses, to protected homes, and to flats. This has been done with or without the support of the patient's family. Some patients have expressed their satisfaction of being able to move without family involvement.