The individual who is severely and persistently mentally ill: directions for research and practice

Dialectical behavior therapy in the treatment of persons with borderline personality disorder

Highly suicidal, borderline patients are difficult to treat within the hospital and the community. The institution of managed care necessitates that care for these and other chronically hospitalized populations take place in the community. Psychotherapy has shown moderate success for some borderlines, however, treatment attrition is a significant problem. Without an intervention that successfully maintains suicidal borderline patients in therapy, either more costly methods of treatment must be used or death will result. A form of cognitive-behavioral therapy called dialectical behavior therapy has shown a high rate of effectiveness in reducing inpatient hospital days, suicide attempt frequency, and therapy attrition.

Patients' experience of a planned admission program: implications for nursing practice and research

Various treatment modalities have been used with the population of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. Variations of day treatment programs, including partial day hospitalization and planned admission programs, are examples of alternatives to extended inpatient treatment. A Veterans Affairs Medical Center initiated a Planned Admission Program. Using qualitative methodology, the researcher interviewed six patients participating in the program to discover information about their experiences in the program. Major themes are identified and discussed, implications for nursing practice and research are articulated.