Social: Care in the Community – Assertive Community Therapy: Involves caring for the schizophrenic in their own home, a way of preventing institutionalisation. ACT is used by community mental health services and focuses on clients who have difficulties meeting personal goals, getting on with others, making and keeping friends and living independently. This is individualised. ACT teams focus on a wide range of ordinary daily activities and chores, depending on a client’s most pressing needs; e.g., securing housing, meeting appointments, cashing checks, and shopping. It is therefore a holistic approach to care. Whole team approach – psychiatrists, nurses, social workers – respond to client emergencies rapidly, low client:staff ratio. It is a lifelong service and there is no automatic termination of contact with clients who miss appointments.
Strengths
Bond (2002) found ACT to be effective and flexible across a wide range of patients; helps clients avoid hospitalization and enables them to live more normal lives - increases their freedom.
Increased continuity of care over time and reduce staff burnout as patients works with large multidisciplinary teams where responsibility for patients wellbeing is shared
Helpful for those who had experienced the revolving door situation – it could be that high relapses had previously occurred due to being unable to cope in society
Potentially improves the quality of life for recipients as they are able to maintain a normal lifestyle (Trauer et al 2001)
Weaknesses
11% of clients in one study believe ACT services are too intrusive
Poor levels of supervision may mean medication is not taken, leading to dangers for the patient and community
Funding issues – expensive, more likely in urban areas, may take funding away from hospitals that is later needed if patient gets worse
May affect the whole family – living with someone with a mental health disorder can be disruptive
ACT works best in areas of high incidences of schizophrenia due to the intensive focus that works best if there is a large team to support
Strengths
Bond (2002) found ACT to be effective and flexible across a wide range of patients; helps clients avoid hospitalization and enables them to live more normal lives - increases their freedom.
Increased continuity of care over time and reduce staff burnout as patients works with large multidisciplinary teams where responsibility for patients wellbeing is shared
Helpful for those who had experienced the revolving door situation – it could be that high relapses had previously occurred due to being unable to cope in society
Potentially improves the quality of life for recipients as they are able to maintain a normal lifestyle (Trauer et al 2001)
Weaknesses
11% of clients in one study believe ACT services are too intrusive
Poor levels of supervision may mean medication is not taken, leading to dangers for the patient and community
Funding issues – expensive, more likely in urban areas, may take funding away from hospitals that is later needed if patient gets worse
May affect the whole family – living with someone with a mental health disorder can be disruptive
ACT works best in areas of high incidences of schizophrenia due to the intensive focus that works best if there is a large team to support