Patients’ subjective initial response and the outcome of inpatient and day hospital treatment

ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish whether psychiatric patients’ subjective initial response (SIR) to hospital and day hospital treatment predicts outcomes over a one-year follow-up period.MethodWe analysed data from 765 patients who were randomised to acute psychiatric treatment in a hospital or day hospital. SIR was assessed on day 3 after admission. Outcomes were psychiatric symptom levels and social disability at discharge, and at 3 and 12 months after discharge.ResultsAfter controlling for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, a more positive SIR was significantly associated with lower symptom levels at discharge and 3 months after discharge and lower social disability at 3 months and 12 months after discharge.ConclusionSIR can predict outcomes of complex interventions over a one-year period. Patients’ initial views of acute hospital and day treatment should be elicited and considered as important.