Citation

Chiesa M, Fonagy P. Therapeutic Communities 2002; 23(4): 247-259.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this paper a preliminary evaluation of a specialist programme for the ambulatory treatment of patients with personality disorder is presented. The integration of analytically oriented group psychotherapy and psychosocial nursing in the external community aims to address these patients' complex interpersonal psychodynamics and concurrent need for external support. This study presents 36 months' follow-up results in several dimensions of patients' functioning, including number and severity of psychiatric symptoms, social adaptation, self-harm, attempted suicide and psychiatric utilisation. The results showed significant improvements in all areas. In addition a significant change in personality disorder status in the sample was found by 36 months. A cost analysis revealed that treatment costs were almost offset after only 12 months after expected discharge from the programme by savings obtained in healthcare utilisation. This study shows that the programme is a promising model for the treatment of personality disorder.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; article; automutilation; clinical article; community care; controlled study; cost benefit analysis; disease severity; female; follow up; functional assessment; health care cost; health care need; health care utilization; health program; human; male; medical specialist; mental disease; mental health care; nursing; outpatient care; personality disorder; psychiatric treatment; psychoanalysis; psychodynamics; psychologic assessment; psychotherapy; social adaptation; social psychology; suicide attempt; theoretical model