Pattern of health service utilization and predictors of readmission after a first admission for psychosis: a 2-year follow-up study

Objective: To explore the pattern of health service utilization over 2 years following a first admission for psychosis and the baseline characteristics predicting readmission. Method: Patients included in a cohort of first-admitted Subjects with psychosis (n = 84) were assessed at the end of a 2-year follow-up Using multiple sources of information. Results: At the end of the follow-up. one of three Subjects had no contact with any mental health professional, and 38% of subjects had no contact with a psychiatrist. Half of the patients were readmitted over the 2-year follow-up. The baseline characteristics independently predicting psychiatric readmission were a high number of helping contacts before first admission and persistence of Psychotic symptoms at discharge. Conclusion: Decreasing the frequency of readmission in the early Course Of psychosis IS a public health priority. Development of psychotherapeutic programs for Subjects with early psychosis who have enduring psychotic symptoms, at first discharge Should be promoted.