Clinical case management of revolving door patients - a semi-randomized study

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of psychiatric clinical case management. Method: Subjects with at least three admissions in the previous 2 years were randomized into a clinical case management group (CMG; n = 122) and a standard care group (SCG; n = 95). Individuals who refused or were not located were included in a third, non-randomized no-treatment group (NTG; n = 153). Parameters assessed included utilization of in-patient services and psychosocial functioning. Results: We found no difference between the CMG and the SCG in psychosocial functioning as evaluated by interviewers, and no difference between the three groups in hospitalization. In subjects' self-ratings, the CMG showed slight improvement in psychosocial functioning. Conclusion: Clinical case management did not prove itself superior to standard care in a revolving door population.