An Application of Life Table Method in the Study of Length of Stay

Life table method was presented as a method of choice to analyse data arising out of longitudinal studies. The method was employed to study length of stay (LOS) of psychiatric in-patients. The result obtained was compared with LOS calculated by traditional methods. The LOS was 58-60 days computed by traditional methods for the year 1985 for our centre. This was shown by the life table method as the expected LOS at the time of admission. The life table method demonstrated that the rate of discharge increased as the length of stay increased upto 30 days and decreased afterwards. On the other hand, the expected further LOS increased as the length of stay increased upto 3 years. The implications of the findings were discussed.