Evaluating the strengths model of case management for people with severe mental illness

Описание: Mental Health and Society Lecture by:

Eric Latimer, PhD, Researcher, Douglas Research Centre and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
Tim Aubry, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Senior Researcher of the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services, University of Ottawa
Janet Durbin, PhD, Independent Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Maryann Roebuck, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at CMHA Ottawa and the University of Ottawa

The talk is entitled, "Evaluating the strengths model of case management for people with severe mental illness: Results of a multi-province study".

People with severe mental illness whose difficulties of functioning are not sufficient for them to receive services from an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team normally are assigned to an Intensive Case Management team (Soutien d’intensité variable in Québec). Whereas the ACT team is well defined, the way that an ICM team should deliver its services is not. Among the various models that have been proposed to orient the work of ICM teams, the strengths model of case management, as developed at the Kansas School of Social Welfare, has received the most research attention. At once a philosophy of practice and a specific model of service delivery, evidence suggests it helps clients reach their own goals, reduces hospitalizations, and improves quality of life. This seminar will report on the findings of a CIHR-funded study conducted in 7 sites in Ontario, Québec and Newfoundland. In this study, 14 teams across the 7 sites implemented the strengths model of case management with the help of a US consultant, with varying levels of success. The findings suggest that higher fidelity to the strengths model improves quality of life and hope through the increase in working alliance that it tends to foster. They also suggest that higher fidelity is associated with lower costs. The presentation will conclude by summarizing findings concerning implementation of the model.