Two cluster analytic studies were conducted to explore groupings of patients in a heterogeneous psychiatric population. Study 1 (N = 170) provided support for the derivation by a cluster analytic method of five meaningful clinical groups of patients. Based on an extensively modified inventory and a different population of psychiatric patients, results from Study 2 (N = 224) provided further indication of the stability of the clusters. It was concluded that cluster analysis may provide a viable method as a classification system for a heterogeneous population of psychiatric inpatients.

No abstract

Types of patient admissions in the first year of a new psychiatric hospital opening were examined to address issues raised by Silverman and Saunders (1980). It was found that, for all patients with the same county of residence as where the new facility was located, 39%, 48%, and 13% were transfer admissions, readmissions, and first admissions respectively. By using a more valid definition of the same criterion variable (admission rates), these results cast doubt on Silverman and Saunders's interpretation of the same data.

No abstract