Factors associated with multiple re-admission to a psychiatric hospital

Background: Previous studies have attempted to identify various demographic and associated factors which place psychiatric service users at risk of re-admission to a psychiatric hospital following discharge. 

Aims: To conduct a 2-year follow-up of a group of patients who had been admitted to a psychiatric ward and to investigate possible variables that could determine readmission to hospital. 

Method: A cross sectional and a two year longitudinal design were used. Results: "Revolving-door" service users were more likely to be taking medication, were younger at age of first contact with services, and had been using services for longer. They were also more likely to be living in council housing, which is, housing provided by and subsidised by local government, and have a diagnosis of affective disorder. There were no differences between the previous cohort and the current sample in terms of demographics, and history of contact with services. A larger proportion of service users met the "revolving-door" criteria during the present study as compared to our previous study. There were some differences between the current and previous study in terms of accommodation at discharge, diagnosis, and social living status. 

Conclusions: Several variables were shown to predict membership in the "revolving-door" group and findings replicate Langdon et al. (2001), although there were differences. "Revolving- door" patients may have more enduring and chronic mental illnesses, but were similar to their "non-revolving door" counterparts on some variables. Research of this nature is difficult given the cross-sectional nature of studies, and a lack of a clear consensus within the literature as to which factors are associated with "revolving-door" service users remains. 

Declaration of interest: None.