the role of continuous care team on outpatient treatment of chronic psychiatric patients

continuous care team has a significant role in the treatment of chronic psychiatric patients and hence mental health services. this article retrospectively studied 55 patients of continuous care system at the shahid esmaily psychiatric center. results showed that compared to three years before intervention, during three years post intervention relapse rates, days of hospitalization (90%) and costs of care (85%) had significantly decreased, and job status (60%) had significantly improved. many studies in iran and in other countries has shown the efficacy of continuous care team providing mental health services. since inpatient care provides only one-fifth of country's needs, these findings emphasize the necessity of continuous care team in the mental health system