Table 1 Comparison of service provision in “classic” assertive outreach, assertive outreach as implemented in Lower Saxony and treatment as usual (TAU) in mental health care in Lower Saxony and Germany
Characteristics of service | “Classic ” assertive outreach according to DACT-Scale* | Assertive outreach in Lower Saxony | Treatment as usual (TAU) in Lower Saxony/Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
Target population | Patients suffering Severe Mental Illness (SMI), high users of mental health services | Patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia | Patients diagnosed with any mental illness |
Involved service providers | Multiprofessional: Psychiatrist, nurse and others | Office based psychiatrist in cooperation with specifically trained psychiatric nurse. Further professionals such as rehabilitation specialists are involved as needed. Their involvement is brokered by nurse (case management) | Office based psychiatrist and other services providers as needed (and if available). No standardized pathways for cooperation and exchange between service providers are implemented. |
Home treatment | yes | yes | no |
Case management | yes | yes | no |
Interdisciplinary treatment conferences | yes | yes (usually involving psychiatrist and nurse), meeting once a week | no |
Responsible for medical and social needs | yes | yes | no |
24/7-service | yes | yes | no |
Maximum frequency of contact | high | high | medium |
duration of relation | longterm | longterm | longterm |