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Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 4/2018

01-05-2018 | Original Paper

Transitions from Assertive Community Treatment Among Urban and Rural Teams: Identifying Barriers, Service Options, and Strategies

Authors: Andrea M. LeFebvre, Bill Dare, Susan J. Farrell, Gary S. Cuddeback

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

An emerging focus of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams is the transition of clients to less intensive services, which creates space for individuals in need of ACT and is consistent with a recovery orientation of treatment. However, there is limited research on team transition rates, post-ACT services, and strategies to overcome transition barriers. In addition, few studies have examined differences in these factors among urban and rural ACT teams. To address these knowledge gaps, we interviewed eight ACT teams in urban and rural areas of eastern Ontario regarding their transition rates, processes of transitioning ACT clients to less intensive services, transition barriers, and solutions to overcoming these barriers. On average, teams transitioned about 6% of their clients over our 3-year study period. Urban and rural teams described both similar and distinct clinical and systemic barriers, such as client reluctance to transition and finding psychiatric follow-up outside of ACT. Implications for ACT practice and policy are discussed.
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Metadata
Title
Transitions from Assertive Community Treatment Among Urban and Rural Teams: Identifying Barriers, Service Options, and Strategies
Authors
Andrea M. LeFebvre
Bill Dare
Susan J. Farrell
Gary S. Cuddeback
Publication date
01-05-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0162-3

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