Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Outcomes of clients in need of intensive team care in Flexible Assertive Community Treatment in Sweden

Svensson, Bengt LU ; Hansson, Lars LU and Lexén, Annika LU (2018) In Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 72(3). p.226-231
Abstract

Background: Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (Flexible ACT) has been implemented in Sweden during recent years due to increasing interest in integrated services for people with severe mental illness. To date, few studies have been done on Flexible ACT effectiveness. Aims: The overall aim of this study was to explore the extent to which clients assigned to the Flexible ACT board for ACT intensive care were stabilized with improved everyday functioning, social outcomes, and changes in healthcare use. Methods: Ninety-three participants with psychosis, in need of ACT from six newly started Flexible ACT teams, were included. Data were collected using the Social Outcome Index scale (SIX), Practical and Social Functioning Scale, and a... (More)

Background: Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (Flexible ACT) has been implemented in Sweden during recent years due to increasing interest in integrated services for people with severe mental illness. To date, few studies have been done on Flexible ACT effectiveness. Aims: The overall aim of this study was to explore the extent to which clients assigned to the Flexible ACT board for ACT intensive care were stabilized with improved everyday functioning, social outcomes, and changes in healthcare use. Methods: Ninety-three participants with psychosis, in need of ACT from six newly started Flexible ACT teams, were included. Data were collected using the Social Outcome Index scale (SIX), Practical and Social Functioning Scale, and a healthcare usage questionnaire. Results: There was a significant positive change in everyday functioning and in the SIX-item ‘friendship’ at 18-months follow-up. A positive correlation was also found between everyday functioning and the SIX-item ‘friendship’ and a negative correlation between duration of ACT and everyday functioning. A significant increase in number of inpatient hospital days and psychiatric outpatient visits also occurred. Conclusion: Clients with psychosis who need ACT may benefit from Flexible ACT through improved social functioning. Being involved in meaningful activities and supported by others are key aspects of recovering from mental illness and are enhanced by Flexible ACT.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Flexible Assertive Community Treatment, integrated teams, psychosis, severe mental illness, social functioning
in
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
volume
72
issue
3
pages
6 pages
publisher
Informa Healthcare
external identifiers
  • pmid:29373933
  • scopus:85041915727
ISSN
0803-9488
DOI
10.1080/08039488.2018.1430168
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d36ace8d-6e10-4717-95ed-b9a93746f897
date added to LUP
2018-02-20 11:42:54
date last changed
2024-03-31 23:33:43
@article{d36ace8d-6e10-4717-95ed-b9a93746f897,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (Flexible ACT) has been implemented in Sweden during recent years due to increasing interest in integrated services for people with severe mental illness. To date, few studies have been done on Flexible ACT effectiveness. Aims: The overall aim of this study was to explore the extent to which clients assigned to the Flexible ACT board for ACT intensive care were stabilized with improved everyday functioning, social outcomes, and changes in healthcare use. Methods: Ninety-three participants with psychosis, in need of ACT from six newly started Flexible ACT teams, were included. Data were collected using the Social Outcome Index scale (SIX), Practical and Social Functioning Scale, and a healthcare usage questionnaire. Results: There was a significant positive change in everyday functioning and in the SIX-item ‘friendship’ at 18-months follow-up. A positive correlation was also found between everyday functioning and the SIX-item ‘friendship’ and a negative correlation between duration of ACT and everyday functioning. A significant increase in number of inpatient hospital days and psychiatric outpatient visits also occurred. Conclusion: Clients with psychosis who need ACT may benefit from Flexible ACT through improved social functioning. Being involved in meaningful activities and supported by others are key aspects of recovering from mental illness and are enhanced by Flexible ACT.</p>}},
  author       = {{Svensson, Bengt and Hansson, Lars and Lexén, Annika}},
  issn         = {{0803-9488}},
  keywords     = {{Flexible Assertive Community Treatment; integrated teams; psychosis; severe mental illness; social functioning}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{226--231}},
  publisher    = {{Informa Healthcare}},
  series       = {{Nordic Journal of Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{Outcomes of clients in need of intensive team care in Flexible Assertive Community Treatment in Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2018.1430168}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/08039488.2018.1430168}},
  volume       = {{72}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}