The Effect of Group-Based Family Orientation to Community Mental Health Services

INTRODUCTION The effects of an initial family orientation session (IGS) were examined in terms of its effect on readmission rates and cumulative lengths of stay. METHODS We examine readmission rates and cumulative lengths of stay both within and between these groups over comparable time periods before and after November 2016. RESULTS IGS-exposed group had a greater reduction in admissions and cumulative length stay compared to the unexposed group, with the greatest reduction in IGS-exposed emergency admissions. CONCLUSIONS The findings support the hypothesis that changes in admission rates and overall days in service was potentially a direct effect of the IGS.