Development of a self-management evaluation scale for people with mental disabilities to live their community life

Abstract

It is crucial that the process of reintegrating people with mental disabilities into the community following a hospital admission is effective to avoid repeated readmission. Importantly, comprehensive support in day-to-day and social life is required. Measures that have been implemented in this vain have led to an increase in the hospital discharge rate of people with mental disabilities. Sadly, though, there has not been a marked improvement in rates of inpatient numbers in mental health hospitals and, also, rates of readmission are on the rise. Dr Mayuko Yamashita is a researcher based at Jikei University School of Nursing in Japan whose work involves ensuring the complete integration of people with mental disabilities into society. 'To promote community transition and retention of people with mental disabilities, efforts are being implemented as national measures,' she clarifies. 'However, if the continuity of treatment and self-management is not ensured after remission because of the hospital treatment received, repeated admission and discharge due to acute exacerbation is inevitable and long-term improvement cannot be expected.