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Biomedical subjects

M W Kirby

Publications and source records attributed to M W Kirby.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effective services for homeless substance abusers.

A heterogeneous and representative sample of 323 homeless individuals in the metropolitan-Denver area with alcohol or other substance abuse problems received a comprehensive array of substance-abuse treatment services. Following treatment, these individuals showed dramatic improvement on average in their (a) levels of alcohol and drug use, (b) housing status, (c) physical and mental health, (d) employment, and (e) quality of life. Those who received more service improved more than those who received less service. These improvements are attributable, at least partly, to the treatment rather than to alternative hypotheses such as spontaneous remission. However, the rate of improvement generally slowed during the six-month follow-up period. A random half of the clients received intensive case management in addition to the other services. Case management marginally increased clients' contacts with addictions counselors, but had little effect on the level of other services received or on the tailoring of services to client needs. As a result, case management also had little, if any, effect on outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

An empirical typology of the chronically mentally ill.

This paper describes the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics of a sample of chronically mentally ill clients at a large comprehensive community mental health center. Utilizing cluster analytic procedures, five basic types of chronically mentally ill clients are empirically identified. The differential pattern of psychosocial characteristics associated with each type is explored and the distinctive profile of each type is delineated. Finally, the implications of this typology for the design of community support treatment programs and allocation of increasingly scarce resources are presented.

Acting Out↗
PubMed1976

A model to replace psychiatric hospitals.

A comprehensive system of community treatment in southwest Denver has reduced the need for adult psychiatric inpatient beds to less than 1/100,000 population. Six small, community-based therapeutic environments, crisis intervention, home treatment, social systems intervention, and rapid tranquilization comprise the essential components of this total community care system. The system operates within a framework of citizen participation and community control, the elimination of formal staff offices, and a focus on working in the real-life setting of the client and his family. To evaluate the effectiveness of community care, patients about to be hospitalized were randomly assigned to a psychiatric hospital or to community alternative treatment. Outcome measures at discharge and at follow-up completed by the client himself, treatment staff, and family members indicate that community treatment was more effective than psychiatric hospitalization.

Antipsychotic Agents↗