Factors associated with rehospitalization in the psychiatry outpatient clinic

AIM: Following deinstitutionalization policies, rehospitalizations in psychiatric patients have become an important problem. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, clinical and social factors that may be associated with recurrent hospitalization in the psychiatric ward and to reveal the relationship between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2903 patients hospitalized in the Psychiatry Service of Sakarya Training and Research Hospital between April 2011 and March 2020 were included in the study. Patients who had 2 or more rehospitalizations within 1 year after discharge were defined as revolving door patients. RESULTS: It was determined that revolving door patients were younger, had a higher rate of being single, had a higher rate of using depot antipsychotics, clozapine and received ECT in their treatment, and had a higher number of CMHC applications. In this study that patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders had more rehospitalizations. It was founded that after depot antipsychotics and clozapine treatment, ECT and CMHC follow-up, recurrent hospitalizations decreased compared to before. CONCLUSION: The number of patients with frequent rehospitalizations decreases after the application of depot antipsychotics, clozapine, ECT and CMHC. To better understand frequent rehospitalizations, it may be useful to investigate disease severity, symptom profile and other variables related to treatment compliance, patient care and social support characteristics. In patients with many recurrent hospitalizations, the use of depot antipsychotics and clozapine, if necessary, ECT may be considered. Patients may be encouraged to visit CMHC regularly.