Clinical lessons in psychiatric home health care: A case study approach

Important considerations for the growth of psychiatric home health care as a treatment modality include program design, incorporation of medical and psychiatric nursing care, definition of the service population relative to age, and rigorous research into all components of psychiatric home care. Using a case study approach, three client examples are presented that incorporate these considerations and highlight lessons relevant to understanding psychiatric home care parameters. Practitioners are encouraged to use research as a tool in scrutinizing intermediary guidelines critically, demonstrating alternatives that offer better outcomes, and forming proactive plans for ensuring that optimal and effective care is the yardstick of treatment.