Is there a real need for a short-stay unit in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates?

Abstract

Thisstudy explores the rationale and need for a short-stay psychiatric unit at AI Ain (United Arab Emirates) district hospital. The paper describes the demographic and diagnostic characteristics of patients with brief admis sions over 40% -of all psychiatric admissions -most of whom have neurotic, stress-related and adjustment disorders. Only 12% of patients were severely disabled and in about half the patients, anxiolyric or no medica tions were prescribed. Significant reduction of distress was achieved by brief admission. In current circum stances, we believe that the short-stay unit might be the best available and least costly option.