Abstract
Hospitalization and out-of-home placement data for 113 youth participating in a randomized trial comparing home-based multisystemic therapy (MST; n = 57) with hospitalization(n = 56) for psychiatric crisis stabilization were analyzed following the completion of MST treatment—approximately 4 months post approval for emergency psychiatric hospitalization. Analyses showed that MST prevented any hospitalization for 57% of the participants in the MST condition and reduced the overall number of days hospitalized by 72%. Importantly, the reduction in use and length of hospitalization was not offset by increased use of other placement options, as MST reduced days in other out-of-home placements by 49%. The cost implications for the viability of MST as an alternative to hospitalization for youth presenting psychiatric emergencies are discussed.
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Schoenwald, S.K., Ward, D.M., Henggeler, S.W. et al. Multisystemic Therapy Versus Hospitalization for Crisis Stabilization of Youth: Placement Outcomes 4 Months Postreferral. Ment Health Serv Res 2, 3–12 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010187706952
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010187706952