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Pilot Study of the Cost-Effectiveness of Youth F-ACT in the Netherlands

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Abstract

Mental healthcare costs are rising. Community-based interventions often are being implemented without sufficient evidence for the effectiveness in terms of care and cost. In this pilot study, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of youth Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (F-ACT) compared to treatment as usual (TAU). In total 28 adolescents (12–18 years) participated in F-ACT (N = 13) and TAU (N = 15). The outcome measures were the percentage of adolescents with a significant improvement in quality of life and Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). Costs were measured using a retrospective cost-questionnaire. Outcomes were assessed at the start and after three months of care. Compared to TAU, F-ACT resulted in a significantly higher quality of life as reported by adolescents. There was no significant difference in quality of life reported by the parents. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) demonstrated that youth F-ACT is more effective but with higher costs. This study may help to make evidence-based decisions in terms of who benefits the most from youth F-ACT interventions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Youth Psychiatry, Mental Health Service Organization GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord, PO Box 18, 1850 BA, Heiloo, The Netherlands

    Johannes W. F. Hogewind

  2. Department of Research and Monitoring, Mental Health Service Organization GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord, PO Box 18, 1850 BA, Heiloo, The Netherlands

    Johannes W. F. Hogewind, M. Annet Nugter & Fabiana Engelsbel

Authors
  1. Johannes W. F. Hogewind
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  2. M. Annet Nugter
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  3. Fabiana Engelsbel
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Contributions

The author’s responsibilities were as follows: Material preparation (JH, AN), Data collection (JH, AN), Analysis (JH, AN, FE). The first draft of the manuscript was written by JH and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Johannes W. F. Hogewind.

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Hogewind, J.W.F., Nugter, M.A. & Engelsbel, F. Pilot Study of the Cost-Effectiveness of Youth F-ACT in the Netherlands. Community Ment Health J 57, 701–710 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00791-z

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