RESUMEN
AIMS: Evaluation of community residential facilities effectiveness in the Department of Mental Health of Desio (Milan). METHOD: Outcomes in symptoms, disability, family burden and quality of life were evaluated during one year through a longitudinal study, using a pre-test and post test design without control group. RESULTS: Residential care is effective in reducing disability and symptoms, while it is not effective towards family burden. Quality of life is improved in some domains, but not in others (e.g. social and family relationships). CONCLUSIONS: Outcome assessment is feasible in residential facilities, following a multiaxial and multifactorial model. We need to clarify the goals of residential care, focussing on active components of the residential treatment.