PATTERNS OF PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITAL SERVICE USE IN FINLAND - A NATIONAL REGISTER STUDY OF HOSPITAL DISCHARGES IN THE EARLY 1990S

We were interested in studying the possible concurrent changes in the psychiatric inpatient population during a rapid phase of deinstitution alisation, and severe economic recession with a record level unemploym ent rate, and after the amendment of the mental health legislation. Al though there were 4540 fewer beds in the psychiatric hospitals in 1993 compared to 1990 the rate of patient admissions remained the same. Th ere was a significant increase in readmissions (P < 0.001) to the psyc hiatric hospitals, and particularly in multiple (three or more) readmi ssions among new inpatients (P < 0.001). The prevalence of inpatients with major depression increased by 0.2/1000 in the whole cohort and by 0.12/1000 among first-timers from 1990 to 1993 (P < 0.001). In additi on, the rate of involuntary admissions decreased significantly (P < 0. 001).