Revolving Door Phenomena and its Associated Factors Among Patients With Psychiatric Illnesses

Mental illness is a global public health concern. The revolving door phenomenon was observed in association with the process of re-institutionalization of psychiatric patients. Several factors are thought to contribute to their frequent admissions. Psychiatric rehospitalization of patients imposes heavy burdens on caregivers/families. A study was conducted to explore the caregivers perceived factors associated with revolving door phenomena among patients having psychiatric illnesses. A total of 160 care givers of patients having psychiatric illnesses were selected by purposive sampling technique. A Semi structured interview schedule was developed to collect data. Findings of the study revealed that the Prevalence of revolving door phenomena was 164/1000 of population. Psychological, personal and cultural factors were explored as high contributing whereas disease related, Physiological and Mental health services related factors as low contributing factors associated with revolving door phenomena as perceived by the caregivers. Item wise analysis revealed major precipitating factors were patient’s suspiciousness , Lack of knowledge, Forget to take medicine by patients, Treatment negligence, Anxiety, Emotional disturbance, Long term treatment, Cost of treatment, Felt social isolation, Non compliance to treatment, Care giver burden, Lack of insight, Use of drug/alcohol and Cultural belief, myths. Significant associations were observed between patient’s socio-demographic characteristics and personal, psychological, sociological, economical and cultural factors. The study concluded that there were many factors found to be contributing to revolving door phenomena among patients with psychiatric illness, and also observed that many of these factors are modifiable.