SERVICE PROVISION FOR PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA .1. CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC-PERSPECTIVE

Background The aim of this study was to provide information on patient s' current service use which could inform future decisions on service planning and resource allocation. Method. Individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, who had received in-patient care in the previous fi ve years, were identified from the Lothian Case Register. Information was obtained from 193 subjects. Patients' service use over a six-month period was examined. The costs incurred in service provision were det ermined. Results Patients differed markedly in their use of services. This was not found to be related to their mental state. Average care c osts were high. in-patient care accounted for most of the overall expe nditure. Conclusions There is considerable variation in the services u sed by patients with schizophrenia and in the costs incurred in servic e provision. When planning services it is therefore important that det ailed information on the patient population is available if resources are to be allocated cost-effectively.