The following factors influencing vocational success or failure were selected and studied for their predictive value in a Rehabilitation Centre, age, family background, educational level, work history and work level, motivation, mental ability and physical disability. Graded numerical scores from 1 to 3 were assigned to these factors according to Lane et al. A cut-off score was tested and found to distinguish the successful from the unsuccessful groups. The individual factors found to differ significantly in the two groups were work history and skill, motivation, and physical disability. Mental ability, however, could not be tested adequately.
A survey to assess the degree of occupational and physical rehabilitation was conducted on patients treated on chronic haemodialysis, using the semiquantitative Karnovsky scale. The survey revealed that over 90% of patients achieved good rehabilitation and returned to employment or to household duties. Chronic haemodialysis is effective in prolonging life and most patients were rehabilitated with useful levels of physical activity.
This paper describes a rehabilitation programme for male chronic mental patients, with the aim of reintegrating them into the community. Since in Malaysia about 50% of the work force are stilling earning their living in the agricultural sector, the programme concentrates on training in farming and animal rearing. Since the patients are very institutionalised, resocialisation training is also provided that involves learning to communicate, to mix with others, to know how to use money, to make one's own demands, and to cope with more personal freedom. When a patient is trained well enough to be employed outside, a job is found for him that provides food, lodging and payment. After discharge from the hospital, he is regularly followed up by the social worker.
Deinstitutionalization has shifted much of the burden of care of chronic schizophrenia from mental institutions to the family. The aim of this study is to asses the prevalence of mental disorders among 210 primary carers of Malay schizophrenic patients, explored the burden and hardship experienced by them. This is a two-stage psychiatric screening procedure. All the cases suspected from initial screening with WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaires (SRQ-20) were called for clinical interview. Patients' behavioural problems and the burden of relatives were assessed by the Social Behaviour Schedule and the Interview Schedule respectively. It was found that about 23% of the carers developed neurotic disorders resulting from the stress; nearly half of them had neurotic depression. Despite their burden, they do not complaint about it. Neurotic carers compared with non-neurotic carers had significantly more subjective burden and distress related to the product of active psychosis. The carers were generally able to tolerate the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The number of problem behaviours and previous admissions were significantly correlated with the severity of burden.