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Assertive Community Programs for Patients with Severe Mental Disorders: Are Benefits Sustained After Discharge?

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Abstract

The benefits of assertive community treatment (ACT) on patients with severe mental disorders are well established over short or medium term. However, studies that investigate long term outcomes are remarkably scarce. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate patient’s long term clinical and psychosocial evolution after discharge from ACT. An assessment was conducted on 29 patients characterized by inpatient facilities heavy use and refusal of care, who were included in an ACT program 8.7 (SD = 0.7) years ago and discharged 6.3 (SD = 1.8) years ago. Results of the follow up showed decreased rates of hospitalizations and symptomatology, as well as sustained improvement in adherence to care, in quality of life and in social functioning. This data suggests that ACT programs can help refractory to care patients to gain clinical and psychosocial improvement and lay foundation for better long-term adherence to care. Results also suggest that ACT didn’t imply a lifetime treatment.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to warmly thank all the staff of the Assertive Community Treatment Mobile Team of the Geneva University Hospitals (S. Boulgy, R. Claveria, T. Delachenal, S. Demski, JC Fayet, C. Lehmann Koell, D. Mariatti, A. Mignot, K. Nagalingum, JL. Sudreau, S.Wolf) as well as Mr A. Engelhorn for his private support in the baseline study.

Funding

The baseline study was partially supported by a private Grant (Mr A. Engelhorn).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

    Sonia Vidal, Nader Perroud, Leire Correa & Philippe Huguelet

  2. Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, CAPPI Eaux-Vives, Rue du XXXI Décembre 6-8, 1207, Geneva, Switzerland

    Sonia Vidal

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  1. Sonia Vidal
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  2. Nader Perroud
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  3. Leire Correa
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  4. Philippe Huguelet
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Contributions

PH designed the study. SV drafted the manuscript, and PH and NP gave critical revision. LC and SV carried out the data acquisition. NP and SV performed the analysis. All authors provided critical feedback and gave final approval of the version to be published.

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Correspondence to Sonia Vidal.

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Vidal, S., Perroud, N., Correa, L. et al. Assertive Community Programs for Patients with Severe Mental Disorders: Are Benefits Sustained After Discharge?. Community Ment Health J 56, 559–567 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00513-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00513-6

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