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Opportunities for Integrating Physical Health Within Assertive Community Treatment Teams: Results from Practitioner Focus Groups

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Abstract

This qualitative study assessed the experiences of assertive community treatment (ACT) team members regarding the integration of physical and mental health self-management for persons with serious mental illness. Three focus groups elicited information from participants concerning barriers, strategies, and recommendations. Findings from inductive analyses revealed six overarching themes: (1) collaboration with primary care, (2) improvements in engagement, (3) team-focused roles, (4) education and training, (5) recommendations for system level barriers, and (6) systems collaboration. Participant recommendations suggest that ACT teams are well positioned to integrate mental and physical health treatment, but further research is needed to support integrated care.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported through funding from the Medicaid Adult Quality Measures grant program outlined under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 93.609 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Minnesota Center for Chemical and Mental Health, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Piper S. Meyer-Kalos & Tanya A. Line

  2. School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Michael G. Lee & Colleen M. Fisher

  3. Adult Mental Health Division, Department of Human Services, State of Minnesota, PO Box 64981, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA

    Lynette M. Studer

Authors
  1. Piper S. Meyer-Kalos
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  2. Michael G. Lee
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  3. Lynette M. Studer
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  4. Tanya A. Line
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  5. Colleen M. Fisher
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Correspondence to Piper S. Meyer-Kalos.

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Meyer-Kalos, P.S., Lee, M.G., Studer, L.M. et al. Opportunities for Integrating Physical Health Within Assertive Community Treatment Teams: Results from Practitioner Focus Groups. Community Ment Health J 53, 306–315 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0043-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0043-1

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