Post discharge care for high risk psychiatric patients
| Jacinta Hawgood, AISRAP lecturer and course-convenor, says: ‘Developing protocol and procedures for referrals and follow-up for people at risk of suicide is closely aligned to Action Area 4 [co-ordinated approach] in particular outcomes 4.1 [local services linking effectively to provide a seamless service] and 4.2 [program and policy coordination and cooperation].’ |
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The Intensive Case Management (ICM) intervention study was developed to fill an existing gap in follow-up care for discharged psychiatric patients.
Program duration
2008: evaluation completed in June.
2005: Phase 2 began.
2002: Phase 1 of the research project commenced.
Location and people
Research was predominately conducted in the Gold Coast (Queensland). The study comprised of 59 people in Intensive Case Management (ICM) and 57 people in Treatment As Usual (TAU). Participants were initially sourced from the Gold Coast Southport Hospital.
Aims
The Intensive Case Management (ICM) intervention study aimed to:
- fill an existing gap in follow-up care for discharged psychiatric patients.
- implement and investigate the effectiveness of an Intensive Case Management [ICM] framework to reduce suicide risk and enhance quality of life among suicidal adult males discharged from psychiatric hospital.
- monitor the social and occupational functioning of patients.
Activities
Participants in Intensive Case Management (ICM) received the following treatment over a 12 month period (or less pending participant needs):
- weekly face-to-face meetings with a case manage.
- two calls per week from a Lifeline counsellor to monitor connectedness and identify problems.
Model
The model includes monitoring the difference in male psychiatric patients at risk of suicide, between two treatment groups over a 12 month period. This includes:
- increased support and use of existing services in the local community.
- weekly face-to-face meetings with case manager.
- twice weekly calls from Lifeline.
Additionally the model:
- is flexible and client-focused i.e. it can be adapted to a range of diverse groups
- provides a cost benefit
- easy to apply
- aligned to the LIFE Framework.
Lessons learnt
- Case managers who make contact with hospitalised psychiatric patients enhance the therapeutic relationship.
- A gap exists in research literature on suicide prevention.
- Outreach to males (i.e. calling the patient twice weekly) improves their community connectedness.
Evaluation information
From the outset this suicide prevention study collated and evaluated data via a randomised control design. The two groups (Intensive Case Management [ICM] and Treatment As Usual [TAU]) were measured at the six and twelve month periods.
Umbrella organisation
Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP).
Project partners
- Queensland Health
- Griffith University
- Lifeline Gold Coast
- Queensland rehabilitation services such as Centrelink.
Contact
Visit the website of the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) or email aisrap@griffith.edu.au