Opportunities for Integrating Physical Health Within Assertive Community Treatment Teams: Results from Practitioner Focus Groups

Piper S Meyer-Kalos; Michael G Lee; Lynette M Studer; Tanya A Line; Colleen M Fisher

doi:10.1007/s10597-016-0043-1

Opportunities for Integrating Physical Health Within Assertive Community Treatment Teams: Results from Practitioner Focus Groups

Community Ment Health J. 2017 Apr;53(3):306-315. doi: 10.1007/s10597-016-0043-1. Epub 2016 Jul 11.

Authors

Piper S Meyer-Kalos¹, Michael G Lee², Lynette M Studer³, Tanya A Line⁴, Colleen M Fisher²

Affiliations

¹ Minnesota Center for Chemical and Mental Health, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA. psmeyer@umn.edu.
² School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
³ Adult Mental Health Division, Department of Human Services, State of Minnesota, PO Box 64981, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA.
⁴ Minnesota Center for Chemical and Mental Health, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.

PMID: 27401164
DOI: 10.1007/s10597-016-0043-1

Abstract

This qualitative study assessed the experiences of assertive community treatment (ACT) team members regarding the integration of physical and mental health self-management for persons with serious mental illness. Three focus groups elicited information from participants concerning barriers, strategies, and recommendations. Findings from inductive analyses revealed six overarching themes: (1) collaboration with primary care, (2) improvements in engagement, (3) team-focused roles, (4) education and training, (5) recommendations for system level barriers, and (6) systems collaboration. Participant recommendations suggest that ACT teams are well positioned to integrate mental and physical health treatment, but further research is needed to support integrated care.

Keywords: Assertive community treatment; Chronic health problems; Comorbidity; Integrated care; Serious mental illness.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adult
Community Mental Health Services*
Cooperative Behavior
Delivery of Health Care, Integrated*
Female
Focus Groups
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Mental Health*
Patient Care Team*
Primary Health Care
Qualitative Research
Self Care