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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Study protocol

Managing the link and strengthening transition from child to adult mental health Care in Europe (MILESTONE): background, rationale and methodology

Authors: H. Tuomainen, U. Schulze, J. Warwick, M. Paul, G.C. Dieleman, T. Franić, J. Madan, A. Maras, F. McNicholas, D. Purper-Ouakil, P. Santosh, G. Signorini, C. Street, S. Tremmery, F.C. Verhulst, D. Wolke, S. P. Singh, for the MILESTONE consortium

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Transition from distinct Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) is beset with multitude of problems affecting continuity of care for young people with mental health needs. Transition-related discontinuity of care is a major health, socioeconomic and societal challenge globally. The overall aim of the Managing the Link and Strengthening Transition from Child to Adult Mental Health Care in Europe (MILESTONE) project (2014–19) is to improve transition from CAMHS to AMHS in diverse healthcare settings across Europe. MILESTONE focuses on current service provision in Europe, new transition-related measures, long term outcomes of young people leaving CAMHS, improving transitional care through ‘managed transition’, ethics of transitioning and the training of health care professionals.

Methods

Data will be collected via systematic literature reviews, pan-European surveys, and focus groups with service providers, users and carers, and members of youth advocacy and mental health advocacy groups. A prospective cohort study will be conducted with a nested cluster randomised controlled trial in eight European Union (EU) countries (Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, UK) involving over 1000 CAMHS users, their carers, and clinicians.

Discussion

Improving transitional care can facilitate not only recovery but also mental health promotion and mental illness prevention for young people. MILESTONE will provide evidence of the organisational structures and processes influencing transition at the service interface across differing healthcare models in Europe and longitudinal outcomes for young people leaving CAMHS, solutions for improving transitional care in a cost-effective manner, training modules for clinicians, and commissioning and policy guidelines for service providers and policy makers.

Trial registration

“MILESTONE study” registration: ISRCTN ISRCTN83240263 Registered 23 July 2015; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03013595 Registered 6 January 2017.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Managing the link and strengthening transition from child to adult mental health Care in Europe (MILESTONE): background, rationale and methodology
Authors
H. Tuomainen
U. Schulze
J. Warwick
M. Paul
G.C. Dieleman
T. Franić
J. Madan
A. Maras
F. McNicholas
D. Purper-Ouakil
P. Santosh
G. Signorini
C. Street
S. Tremmery
F.C. Verhulst
D. Wolke
S. P. Singh
for the MILESTONE consortium
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1758-z

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