Predicting whether patients receive continuity of care after discharge from state hospitals: Policy implications

This article reports the results of a comprehensive study of predictors of factors influencing continuity of care for individuals discharged from stat e hospitals to communities. Continuity of care is defined and the predispos ing, enabling and need factors are examined using a statewide database. The conceptual model is based on community support system principles, and it d rives the research. The findings will influence policy, which will then aff ect community support system principles. Logistic regression analysis is em ployed as statistical analysis that lends itself to graphical form. Implica tions for policy and future research are presented. Copyright (C) 1999 by W .B. Saunders Company.