Subgroups of frequent users of an inpatient mental health program at a community hospital in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined demographic and clinical characteristics of frequent users of mental health services at a large community hospital in an urban-suburban area in Canada to identify subgroups within this patient population.

METHODS: Patients who had had three or more inpatient admissions over any 12-month period between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1995, were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed to collect summary data on 23 variables encompassing demographic characteristics and admission and discharge information. Quick cluster analysis was performed to identify subgroups within the frequent-user population. Chi square tests and analysis of variance were used to analyze group differences between clusters.

RESULTS: Three patient subgroups accounted for 67 of the 83 patients (80.7 percent) identified as frequent users. Admission patterns were the strongest predictors of subgroup differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Identifying subgroups within the frequent-user population may help in developing appropriate treatment and discharge plans with the aim of reducing the need for frequent utilization of inpatient mental health services.