[Discharge letters addressed to patients--confidence enhancement and psychoeducation].

OBJECTIVE: There are only some reports about discharge letters addressed to patients. By a case report benefits and potential of letters to patients should be shown.

METHOD: The presented case report describes the hospital stay of a 19 year old patient suffering from schizophrenia.

RESULTS: The case report indicates that letters to patients provide a useful source of information and can help the patient to understand the nature of his illness. Furthermore, letters to patients are important to increase confidence and can lead to an open atmosphere in the therapeutic process.

CONCLUSIONS: Letters to patients enhance the role of patients as self-responsible partners in health care. In single cases a personal addressed letter to the patient is feasible in psychiatric hospitals despite shortness of time.