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This presentation summarizes a two-year follow-up study conducted on individuals discharged from Mayview, highlighting their quality of life and recovery. Through standardized assessments and qualitative interviews, findings reveal participants generally felt comfortable in their new residences and valued their newfound freedom, despite some facing challenges like criminal re-engagement and feelings of monotony. While psychiatric symptoms decreased over time, ongoing concerns about housing quality and community integration remained. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced social interaction and varied activities to improve participant life satisfaction.
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Mayview Discharge Study University of Pittsburgh
The Pitt Study • Goals of this presentation • Recap findings • Identify and focus on potential areas for improvement
Methods • 65 people (75% of a random sample) participated in a two-year follow up study of: • Standardized assessments of major indicators of quality of life and recovery • Qualitative observations and interviews • We met with people every three months • 45-50 participants at each time point • 225 standardized assessments and 138 “check-ins” over two years
Major qualitative findings • Participants like their new residences and were comfortable with the discharge process • With new-found freedom, a few people get in trouble • Many people have staff as their primary contacts, and some find their lives rather monotonous • Housing is an on-going concern
People are satisfied with theirnew residences • New residences are preferred to the hospital • No comparison. It’s better. It’s the freedom factor • I’m free. I go more places. I do what I want to do. • People feel safe and comfortable • Here, I am much more relaxed • I am much more comfortable • There are less people. If residents don’t get along, it gets taken care of by staff
Potential perils of freedom • A small number of people became re-involved with criminal activity, usually illegal substance use, and experienced negative consequences
Progress needed on community integration • Many participants would welcome more varied activities • Q: What do you do? A: Sleep. Get up and watch TV. Come out here and smoke. • Q: What is there to do? A: Sleeping. Groups. That’s about all. • I don’t go anywhere. I don’t have any money. • Some participants are very active • I am in the process of getting prepared to get a job. I’ll see what kinds of things I want to do.
Staff are often the primary social contacts • Many people report that they depend mostly on staff • No one has visited me besides my peer mentor and CTT • My case manager is my best friend, guardian, big sister. I have 24-hour access to her. • I can talk to CTT any time if there’s something going on or I need them to advocate for me
Housing is a continuing concern • Some people adjust well to supervised housing situations designed for short stays (e.g., CRRs), and find the need to relocate again problematic • Most participants are poor, and will rely on public housing as they become more independent • Public housing is not always available • When available, the quality and safety of public housing is variable
Major quantitative findings • Psychiatric symptoms go down over time • 50% of people meet a recently published criterion for symptom remission at the 2-year time point • Contact with friends and social adjustment go up over time • No quantitative indicator deteriorated over time
Criteria for remission • Remission of BRPS-rated psychotic symptoms • Seven symptoms related to psychosis • Grandiosity, suspiciousness, unusual thought content, hallucinations, conceptual disorganization, blunted affect • Rated 3 (mild) or less for six months • Additional criterion: • Overall BPRS < 31 for six months • 50 participants had at least two standardized assessments in Year 2 of the study • We examined their last two observations
Remission • 30 of 50 (60%) were in remission from psychotic symptoms • 24 of 50 (48%) were in remission and also had low overall BPRS scores
How do participants compare to other groups? • Quality of life and Progress towards Recovery • Did not change over time • Compared favorably to other populations for whom data have been published • Perceptions of Care • Did not change over time • Were somewhat lower than the major published benchmark
RAS: Mayview contrasted to Australian sample of MH consumers
Conclusions • The closing was successful • Possible areas for continued discussion are: • How to bring variety and community integration into people’s lives • Housing • Is there enough • Can it be stable, supportive, and recovery-oriented • Perceptions are care • Can satisfaction with providers be improved
“The best experience has been knowing that I can make it in the real world. Not as hard as I projected it to be.”