Clinical Usefulness of an Aftercare Worker for Psychotic Patients Discharged from Half-way Houses in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the clinical usefulness and economic viability of an aftercare worker for psychotic patients discharged from half-way houses in Hong Kong. METHOD: A sample of 32 chronic psychotic patients was provided with a full-time aftercare worker. A matched control group received no such service. RESULTS: The experimental group was found to have greater and better employment prospects, better mental status with less hospitalisation and less law-breaking behaviour than the control group. Some of these benefits were converted into economic terms and the tangible costs incurred in the project were calculated. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of an aftercare service is clinically useful and economically viable.