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 |