The Effect of Referral Procedures on Aftercare Compliance

A study of 4 referral procedures involving 400 patients discharged consecutively from a distant state hospital & referred to a community mental health centre for aftercare suggests that simple changes in hospital discharge systems can increase compliance of patients and reduce recidivism. Compliance was increased by scheduling a specific follow-up appointment for the patient and when the patient was seen by the community mental health aftercare nurse before discharge.(SIEC)