Tsepa Androniki, Anestakis Doxakis, Ziogas Ioannis, Karypidou Erieta, Zagelidou Eleni, Raikos Nikolaos, Voultsos Polichronis
The basic method of treating psychiatric patients before the 1950s, was institutionalization. However, the inability of reintegrating patients into society caused suspension of the operation of mental institutions. Nowadays, provision of care to psychiatric patients is applied through open hospitalization or community mental health nursing allowing patients to change their treatment programs. These services are based on the values of behavioral and social sciences. Our aim was to introduce the definition and meaning of open hospitalization, its goals, methods and services provided to psychiatric patients, as well as highlight its role in re-socialization of patients. After thorough review of the literature from 1996 to 2013, we compared the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of hospitalization in order to come up with the most beneficial one to psychiatric patients. By conducting the above-described search of the literature, we realized the significance of open hospitalization among other types, owing to the more benefits it has to present for the mentally disturbed patients. Although institutionalization of patients is thought to provide more efficient care, open-hospitalization focuses on humanistic methods aiming to treat their mental disorders, find a job or even a house for them and last but not least, reintegrate patients into society.
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