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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research

Published in:

01-05-2012 | Original Paper

Discharge Practices in a Time-Unlimited Intervention: The Perspectives of Practitioners in Assertive Community Treatment

Authors: Fang-pei Chen, Daniel B. Herman

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 3/2012

Abstract

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model for people with severe mental illness has typically been viewed as a time-unlimited intervention. Without a proscribed service duration, discharge from ACT largely depends on individual clients’ situations and practitioners’ discretion. We conducted semi-structured focus groups and interviews with practitioners to explore their discharge practices and considerations. Results highlight the heterogeneity of the clientele served in ACT, and therefore the importance of individualized treatment and discharge planning, guidance on assessing the timing of discharge for individual cases, practice strategies that balance independence and social connectedness to promote recovery, and the need for substantial system reform to facilitate transition after discharge.

In New York State, ACT can be provided at either the intensive or supportive level. The intensive level requires a minimum of six visits per month (among which there can be one collateral contact with family, landlord, etc., consistent with the treatment plan) and receives full reimbursement. The supportive level requires a minimum of two visits per month and receives partial reimbursement (New York State Office of Mental Health 2007). The practitioners reported that while the supportive level of services was available and helpful for client independence training, the partial billing condition became a disincentive to use of the supportive level when the organizational finance was concerned.

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Title: Discharge Practices in a Time-Unlimited Intervention: The Perspectives of Practitioners in Assertive Community Treatment
Authors: Fang-pei Chen
Daniel B. Herman
Publication date: 01-05-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0344-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Discharge Practices in a Time-Unlimited Intervention: The Perspectives of Practitioners in Assertive Community Treatment

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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