Community-based Case Management Research Articles

Rural-Urban Differences in Dental Service Utilization and Dental Service Procedures Received Among US Adults: Results From the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

To assess rural-urban differences in dental service use and procedures and to explore the interaction effects of individual- and county-level factors on having dental service use and procedures. Data were from the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). We assessed rural-urban differences in 3 outcome variables: number of dental visits (1, 2, or 3+ visits), preventive care procedures (Yes/No), and treatment procedures (Yes/No). The study sample included 8,199 adults ≥ 18 years of age who reported at least 1 dental visit in the past year. Sampling weights embedded in MEPS were incorporated into all the analyses. A significant interaction between residential location and race/ethnicity (P = .030) suggested limited access to dental visits for minority groups, especially for blacks in the more rural areas. Adults from a more rural area were less likely to have received a preventive procedure (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35-0.87) than those from an urban area. Adults of racial/ethnic minority groups, with lower SES, and without dental insurance were less likely to have received a preventive procedure (all P < .01) but were more likely to have received a treatment procedure (all P < .05). The study showed rural adults were less likely to have received preventive dental procedures than their urban counterparts. Racial/ethnic minority groups living in a more rural area had even more limited access to dental services. Innovative service delivery models that integrate telehealth and community-based case management may contribute to addressing these gaps in rural communities.

Responding to the Challenge of the Dual COVID-19 and Ebola Epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo-Priorities for Achieving Control.

.As of June 11, 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported 4,258 COVID-19 cases with 90 deaths. With other African countries, the DRC faces the challenge of striking a balance between easing public health lockdown measures to curtail the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and minimizing both economic hardships for large sectors of the population and negative impacts on health services for other infectious and noninfectious diseases. The DRC recently controlled its tenth Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, but COVID-19 and a new EVD outbreak beginning on June 1, 2020 in the northwest Équateur Province have added an additional burden to health services. Although the epidemiology and transmission of EVD and COVID-19 differ, leveraging the public health infrastructures and experiences from coordinating the EVD response to guide the public health response to COVID-19 is critical. Building on the DRC’s 40 years of experience with 10 previous EVD outbreaks, we highlight the DRC’s multi-sectoral public health approach to COVID-19, which includes community-based screening, testing, contact-tracing, risk communication, community engagement, and case management. We also highlight remaining challenges and discuss the way forward for achieving control of both COVID-19 and EVD in the DRC.

Mobile, Community-Based Buprenorphine Treatment for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness With Opioid Use Disorder: A Pilot, Feasibility Study.

Adults experiencing homelessness with opioid use disorder (OUD) utilize buprenorphine (BUP), a first-line medication for OUD, at very low rates. Innovative and tailored approaches are needed to reduce barriers to treatment and increase utilization of BUP in this population. This study describes a pilot Mobile Community-based Access Team (M-CAT) that used mobile technology and FaceTime in addition to existing community-based case management programs to provide BUP treatment for veterans with OUD experiencing homelessness who had difficulties engaging in the regular BUP clinic. We conducted a retrospective chart review of veterans enrolled in M-CAT or the usual BUP clinic between January 2015 and December 2017 (N = 36). We abstracted demographic, medical, substance use, prescription, health care utilization, and drug use data from medical records. Twelve veterans were enrolled in M-CAT and 24 were enrolled in BUP clinic. Mean retention in treatment was 19.2 months (standard deviation [SD] = 10.2) in M-CAT and 36 months (SD = 27.6) in BUP clinic. At the endpoint, 66.7% (n = 8) in M-CAT and 100% (n = 24) in BUP clinic remained on BUP. M-CAT is an innovative and tailored pilot project that successfully integrated specific OUD medication treatment into existing case management programs for veterans experiencing homelessness using mobile technology and Facetime. M-CAT can potentially increase utilization of BUP for OUD among high-risk population of veterans experiencing homelessness who are otherwise not engaged in treatment. Integrating telemedicine, BUP treatment, and community-based case management to treat OUD among veterans experiencing homelessness is feasible with high treatment retention. (Am J Addict 2020;29:485-491).

Is Legal Really Legal?: The Evolving World of Cannabis.

Lynn S. Muller, JD, BA-HCM, RN, CCM, is a nurse attorney and managing partner of Muller & Muller with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Care Management from St. Peter's University of New Jersey. She earned her Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Connecticut. Her practice includes defense of health care professionals before the state licensing boards, case management litigation, family law, wills, trusts, and estates, as well as consulting representation of medical practitioners, facilities, and health service corporations on such issues as regulatory compliance and day-to-day operations. Dr. Muller is a popular and sought-after keynote and session speaker at national and regional conferences. She is the Contributing Editor of the journal Professional Case Management. She is an adjunct professor at St. Peter's University School of Nursing in the MSN and DNP programs. Dr. Muller is the author of more than 50 articles in nursing and case management journals and was featured in the Journal of Nurse Administrators. She is a contributor to the 2016 CMSA Standards of Practice and CMSA Career & Knowledge Pathways, the author of the Legal & Ethical Chapter of the sixth edition of the Case and Population Health Chapter for Leadership and Nursing Case Management by Diane L. Huber, published by Elsevier. Dr. Muller is the author of both legal chapters of the third edition of Case Management: A Practical Guide for Education and Practice and third edition of the CMSA Core Curriculum for Case Management. She is a former Commissioner for the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC), where she now serves on the Professional Development and Education Subcommittee, is a facilitator for the CMCC360 2-Day Immersion Program, and is a contributor to the CCMC Case Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK). She is a past President of the New Jersey Chapter of CMSA and the former Director of Social Services for the Borough of Bergenfield, NJ, a community-based case management program she developed and initiated. Dr. Muller has also served her community as a public defender, a municipal court judge, a councilwoman, and chaired the Borough's Barrier Free Committee. Address correspondence to Lynn S. Muller, JD, BA-HCM, RN, CCM, Muller & Muller, P.O. Box 164, Bergenfield, NJ 07621 ([email protected]). Disclaimer: The information contained in this department is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, which can only be given by an attorney admitted to practice in the jurisdiction/state(s) in which you practice. Do you have a question or issue you would like addressed here? Questions are always welcome. We encourage ALL readers to submit questions and/or manuscripts, as well as topics you would like to see addressed in this department. Questions and other inquiries are accepted by e-mail at: [email protected]. If you have an idea you would like to discuss, send your contact information by e-mail and you will be contacted via your preferred method. The author reports no conflicts of interest.

A Theory of Rural Case Management: A Delphi Study

Abstract Though attention has been given to investigating the role of generalist case management in addressing complex needs, largely absent to date is an enquiry to develop the theory for rural community-based social work and human service case management. The purpose of this article is to describe how a two-stage exploratory mixed methods research methodology led to the formulation of a series of theoretical constructs to inform rural case management theory. This article describes Stage 2 of the study, a Delphi method with social work academics where vignettes and a rating scale were strategically combined to transform rural case management practice experience into constructs to inform rural practice theory. We conclude the article by contending that mixed method research designs hold promise for other areas of human services work, where practice theory grounded in-field experience is sought.

How to Reduce Excessive Use of the Health Care Service in Medical Aid Beneficiaries: Effectiveness of Community-Based Case Management.

Community-based case management for medical aid beneficiaries was implemented in Korea to promote the rational use of medical care and stabilize the financial system. This study investigated the economic impact of community-based case management on reductions in healthcare utilization and costs. This was a program study using a national database to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based case management in changing not only healthcare utilization and costs but also client-centered outcomes using the NHI database and 198 regional databases. A total of 1741 case management clients were included in this study. The case management clients were categorized into three targeted groups and were provided individualized services according to the groups. Client-centered outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (QOL), self-care ability, and having a support system, increased after case management. Healthcare utilization and costs decreased significantly after case management. However, there was no significant difference in the decrease between the groups. An increase in healthcare utilization among medical aid beneficiaries has been observed due to the aging population and an increase in the number of recipients. To reduce healthcare utilization and costs while maintaining the health status of the beneficiaries, it is necessary to expand targeted case management.

For female offenders, how does increased intensity of discharge planning plus community-based case management impact drug and alcohol use after release?

Moderate‐certainty evidence shows that for female offenders, intensive discharge planning plus community‐based case management probably results in fewer arrests at 12 months (on average, 8 vs 42 per 1000 women) and fewer positive hair tests for marijuana (on average, 202 vs 269 per 1000 women) but has minimal or no effect on self‐reported marijuana use, hard drug use, positive hair tests for crack cocaine, drug charges at 12 months, or incarceration.

Empowering community health volunteer on community-based tuberculosis case management programs in lower-income countries: A systematic review

Globally, almost 40% of tuberculosis clients are undiagnosed and delayed treatment. This condition leads to disease transmission and increasing new cases. Healthcare workers and community health volunteers as an active case finding frontliner and case manager in the community. The elevated numbers of new case findings and comprehensive management of diseases are the successful indicators of the tuberculosis prevention program. This study identified research articles related to community health volunteer empowerment in tuberculosis case management. Literature study of 20 articles from journal database, such as: Science Direct, Proquest, Scopus, and EBSCO for the last 5 years. It used keywords tuberculosis, community volunteer or empowerment, community-based early case finding. Data were analyzed in tables consist of title, author, year, methodology, result, and recommendation. The empowerment of the community health volunteers was effective in increasing tuberculosis case finding, especially in the border areas, remote areas and rural area. The existence of the community health volunteers brought tuberculosis services closer to the community and able to minimize barriers of health access and costs. Increasing the capacity of the community health volunteers is needed to support their role. Community health volunteers with a history of tuberculosis or from a family with tuberculosis are more acceptable in the community so the success of case finding and treatment is achieved. Community health volunteers worked through home visits were able to change community’s perspectives, promote the formation of health seeking behavior and minimize public-stigma. The empowerment of the community health volunteers is essentially needed as the alternative strategies to find new cases in the community and strengthen its management. There need to provide a wholesome moral and material support from the government for the community health volunteers. This can be integrated into the management of tuberculosis programs in primary health care facilities.

Addressing Profound Disadvantages to Improve Indigenous Health and Reduce Hospitalisation: A Collaborative Community Program in Remote Northern Territory.

Background: Aboriginal people in rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory of Australia have suffered longstanding issues of homelessness and profound health and social inequities. The town and region of Katherine are particularly impacted by such inequities and have the highest rates of homelessness in Australia, composed almost entirely of Aboriginal people who represent 51% of the total population of 24,000 people. The region is serviced by a 60-bed hospital, and a small cohort of frequent attenders (FAs) represent 11% of the Emergency Department (ED) case load. The vast majority of FAs are Aboriginal and have very high burdens of social inequity and homelessness. FAs are a challenge to efficient and effective use of resources for most hospitals around the world, and investment in programs to address underlying social and chronic health issues contributing to frequent attendance have been demonstrated to be effective. Methods: These are the interim findings of a prospective cohort study using five sources of linked health and related data to evaluate a community-based case management pilot in a culturally competent framework to support frequent attenders to the Katherine Hospital ED. FAs were defined as people with six or more presentations in 12 preceding months. The intervention composed of a community-based case management program with a multi-agency service delivery addressing underlying vulnerabilities contributing to ED presentations. Results: Among this predominantly Aboriginal cohort (91%), there were high rates of homelessness (64%), food insecurity (60%) and alcohol misuse (64%), limited access to transport, and complex comorbidities (average of 2.8 chronic conditions per client). Following intervention, there was a statistically significant reduction in ED presentations (IRR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69–0.85), increased engagement with primary health care (IRR 1.90, 95% CI 1.78–2.03), and ambulance utilisation (IRR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07–1.38). Reductions in hospital admissions (IRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.77–1.10) and aeromedical retrievals (IRR 0.67, 95% CI 0.35–1.20) were not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the short-term impacts of community-led case management extending beyond the hospital setting, to address causes of recurrent ED presentations among people with complex social and medical backgrounds. Improving engagement with primary care is a particularly important outcome given the national impetus to reduce preventable hospital admissions.

Effectiveness of a Viral Load Suppression Intervention for Highly Vulnerable People Living with HIV.

We examine the effect of the Undetectables Intervention (UI) on viral loads among socially vulnerable HIV-positive clients. The UI utilized a toolkit that included financial incentives, graphic novels, and community-based case management services. A pre-post repeated measures analysis (n = 502) through 4 years examined longitudinal effects of the intervention. Logistic models regressed social determinants on viral loads. Finally, in-depth qualitative interviews (n = 30) examined how UI shaped adherence. The proportion of virally suppressed time-points increased 15% (from 67 to 82% pre to post-enrollment, p < 0.0001). The proportion of the sample virally suppressed at all time-points increased by 23% (from 39 to 62% pre to post-enrollment, p < 0.0001). African Americans and the homeless were the most likely to be unsuppressed at baseline, but, along with substance users, benefitted the most from UI. The intervention shaped adherence through two pathways, by: (1) establishing worth around adherence, and (2) increasing motivation to become suppressed, and maintain adherence.

The impact of targeted malaria elimination with mass drug administrations on falciparum malaria in Southeast Asia: A cluster randomised trial.

BackgroundThe emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) threatens global malaria elimination efforts. Mass drug administration (MDA), the presumptive antimalarial treatment of an entire population to clear the subclinical parasite reservoir, is a strategy to accelerate malaria elimination. We report a cluster randomised trial to assess the effectiveness of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) MDA in reducing falciparum malaria incidence and prevalence in 16 remote village populations in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where artemisinin resistance is prevalent.Methods and findingsAfter establishing vector control and community-based case management and following intensive community engagement, we used restricted randomisation within village pairs to select 8 villages to receive early DP MDA and 8 villages as controls for 12 months, after which the control villages received deferred DP MDA. The MDA comprised 3 monthly rounds of 3 daily doses of DP and, except in Cambodia, a single low dose of primaquine. We conducted exhaustive cross-sectional surveys of the entire population of each village at quarterly intervals using ultrasensitive quantitative PCR to detect Plasmodium infections. The study was conducted between May 2013 and July 2017. The investigators randomised 16 villages that had a total of 8,445 residents at the start of the study. Of these 8,445 residents, 4,135 (49%) residents living in 8 villages, plus an additional 288 newcomers to the villages, were randomised to receive early MDA; 3,790 out of the 4,423 (86%) participated in at least 1 MDA round, and 2,520 out of the 4,423 (57%) participated in all 3 rounds. The primary outcome, P. falciparum prevalence by month 3 (M3), fell by 92% (from 5.1% [171/3,340] to 0.4% [12/2,828]) in early MDA villages and by 29% (from 7.2% [246/3,405] to 5.1% [155/3,057]) in control villages. Over the following 9 months, the P. falciparum prevalence increased to 3.3% (96/2,881) in early MDA villages and to 6.1% (128/2,101) in control villages (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.41 [95% CI 0.20 to 0.84]; p = 0.015). Individual protection was proportional to the number of completed MDA rounds. Of 221 participants with subclinical P. falciparum infections who participated in MDA and could be followed up, 207 (94%) cleared their infections, including 9 of 10 with artemisinin- and piperaquine-resistant infections. The DP MDAs were well tolerated; 6 severe adverse events were detected during the follow-up period, but none was attributable to the intervention.ConclusionsAdded to community-based basic malaria control measures, 3 monthly rounds of DP MDA reduced the incidence and prevalence of falciparum malaria over a 1-year period in areas affected by artemisinin resistance. P. falciparum infections returned during the follow-up period as the remaining infections spread and malaria was reintroduced from surrounding areas. Limitations of this study include a relatively small sample of villages, heterogeneity between villages, and mobility of villagers that may have limited the impact of the intervention. These results suggest that, if used as part of a comprehensive, well-organised, and well-resourced elimination programme, DP MDA can be a useful additional tool to accelerate malaria elimination.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01872702

Community-based case management does not reduce hospital admissions for older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of community-based case management in reducing hospital admissions for older people. Methods Five databases were searched from inception to March 2018. Trials were included if: (1) participants were community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years; (2) intervention was community-based case management for ≥3 months; (3) outcomes related to hospital admissions; and (4) the design included a control group. The quality of evidence was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Data were analysed descriptively and using meta-analyses where possible. Results Nine trials (n=5468 participants) were included in the analysis. Meta-analysis found community-based case management did not reduce hospital admissions (standard mean difference -0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.27, 0.10), but did reduce emergency department (ED) presentations (mean difference -0.26; 95% CI -0.51, -0.01). Conclusion Community-based case management intervention may be effective in reducing ED presentations for older people. What is known about the topic? Although community-based case management is common in Australia, little is known about its effectiveness in reducing healthcare utilisation for community-dwelling older people. What does this paper add? The results indicate that community-based case management may decrease the number of ED presentations among older people. What are the implications for practitioners? Patients with high ED presentation rates may benefit from community-based case management to reduce the number of unnecessary ED presentations.

Investigating the Model of Community-Based Case Management in the New South Wales Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

To investigate a model of community-based case management (CM). New South Wales (NSW) Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP). All clinicians (N = 72) providing CM within 14 BIRP community rehabilitation teams. A prospective, multicenter study. A purpose-designed survey. Participants from the 12 adult and 2 pediatric services (8 located in metropolitan areas, 6 in rural areas) completed a 3-part survey investigating their organizational context, clinical approach, and CM interventions. Between-groups analyses explored differences among individual services, as well as differences based on age (adult vs pediatric) and location (metropolitan vs rural). All services provided a direct service model of CM. The underlying principles were uniform across services (more direct than indirect service provision; with more client-related than administrative-related tasks; more holistic than service-led in defining client needs; with decision making equally directed by staff and clients; and undertaking a more comprehensive than minimalist range of tasks). CM interventions included the provision of individual support, family support, advocacy, and community development alongside assessment, monitoring, referral, and liaison tasks. There were little differences in practice based on age or location. The NSW BIRP has drawn upon the results to produce a model of service for CM.

Using mHealth to Increase Treatment Utilization Among Recently Incarcerated Homeless Adults (Link2Care): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundThere is a significant revolving door of incarceration among homeless adults. Homeless adults who receive professional coordination of individualized care (ie, case management) during the period following their release from jail experience fewer mental health and substance use problems, are more likely to obtain stable housing, and are less likely to be reincarcerated. This is because case managers work to meet the various needs of their clients by helping them to overcome barriers to needed services (eg, food, clothing, housing, job training, substance abuse and mental health treatment, medical care, medication, social support, proof of identification, and legal aid). Many barriers (eg, limited transportation, inability to schedule appointments, and limited knowledge of available services) prevent homeless adults who were recently released from incarceration from obtaining available case management, crisis management, substance abuse, and mental health services.ObjectiveThe aim of the Link2Care study is to assess the effectiveness of a smartphone app for increasing case management and treatment service utilization, and in turn reduce homelessness and rearrest. The goals of this research are to (1) assess the impact of an innovative smartphone app that will prompt and directly link recently incarcerated homeless adults to community-based case management services and resources and (2) utilize in-person and smartphone-based assessments to identify key variables (eg, alcohol or drug use, social support, psychological distress, and quality of life) that predict continued homelessness and rearrest.MethodsHomeless adults (N=432) who enroll in a shelter-based Homeless Recovery Program after release from the Dallas County Jail will be randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups: (1) usual case management, (2) usual case management plus smartphone, and (3) usual case management with a study-provided smartphone that is preloaded with an innovative case management app (smartphone-based case management). Those assigned to smartphone-based case management will receive smartphones that prompt (twice weekly) connections to shelter-based case managers. The app will also offer direct links to case managers (available during normal business hours) and crisis interventionists (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) with the touch of a button.ResultsRecruitment began in the spring of 2018, and data collection will conclude in 2021.ConclusionsThis research represents an important step toward integrated service connection and health care service provision for one of the most underserved, high need, and understudied populations in the United States.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03399500; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03399500 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zSJwdgUS)Registered Report IdentifierRR1-10.2196/9868

A Glass Half Full Not Empty: Strength-Based Practice in Persons with Substance Use Disorders

The strength-based practice highlights the inherent competencies, resources, and values of an individual. While acknowledging underlying problem behaviors, it moves toward identifying potential solutions and meanings an individual holds. It therefore presents an innovative method to working with clients with different mental health concerns, including substance use disorders (SUD) with a focus on building resources. Traditionally, psychosocial interventions in the field of SUD have focused on behavioral management, cognitive approaches and the 12-steps programs. Such approaches have a leaning toward the deficit model and identify underlying pathology seen in addiction. Moving toward a strengths perspective offers possibilities to view one’s self and others in a positive light. In the current report, we present an argument to incorporate strength-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Solution-focused family therapy, Family-Centered Practice, Community-Based Participatory Research interventions and Case Management in working with persons with SUD. Specifically, we recommend a therapeutic focus of individual, family and community interventions that intensify movement toward healing by examining variables that instill well-being, while destigmatizing addiction. Secondly, we look at relational research such as social support, social networks and family strengths. Finally, we review aspects of community support groups and access to help that are intertwined within a strengths model.

Alternatives to Immigration Detention

The United States places over 440,000 people each year in immigration detention, far more than any other country in the world. This Article argues that there are compelling humanitarian and financial reasons to utilize more alternatives to detention. It examines the strengths and limitations of existing alternatives, including the need to develop more community-based case management programs and to rely less on electronic monitoring. The Article then sets forth several legal arguments under the Constitution, Rehabilitation Act, and international human rights law for requiring greater consideration of alternatives to detention.

Rationale and development of a patient-tailored complex intervention of case management for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ABSTRACTThis article describes the rationale, considerations, and choices made in developing a complex intervention evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community-based case management for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in a Danish setting. Inspired by the existing research methods for designing complex interventions, the intervention was developed using mixed methods entailing systematic review of available literature, interviews with key stakeholders, and discussions in a specialist-comprised project group. The rigorous process helped develop an intervention that properly accounted for both available evidence and context of the setting. We encourage researchers to provide a transparent reporting of the process behind intervention development.

Does one size really fit all? The effectiveness of a non-diagnosis-specific integrated mental health care program in Germany in a prospective, parallel-group controlled multi-centre trial

BackgroundThe Network for Mental Health (NWpG-IC) is an integrated mental health care program implemented in 2009 by cooperation between health insurance companies and community mental health providers in Germany. Meanwhile about 10,000 patients have been enrolled. This is the first study evaluating the effectiveness of the program in comparison to standard mental health care in Germany.MethodsIn a parallel-group controlled trial over 18 months conducted in five regions across Germany, a total of 260 patients enrolled in NWpG-IC and 251 patients in standard mental health care (TAU) were recruited between August 2013 and November 2014. The NWpG-IC patients had access to special services such as community-based multi-professional teams, case management, crisis intervention and family-oriented psychoeducation in addition to standard mental health care. The primary outcome empowerment (EPAS) and the secondary outcomes quality of life (WHO-QoL-BREF), satisfaction with psychiatric treatment (CSQ-8), psychosocial and clinical impairment (HoNOS) and information about mental health service needs (CAN) were measured four times at 6-month intervals. Linear mixed-effect regression models were used to estimate the main effects and interaction effects of treatment, time and primary diagnosis. Due to the non-randomised group assignment, propensity score adjustment was used to control the selection bias.ResultsNWpG-IC and TAU groups did not differ with respect to most primary and secondary outcomes in our participating patients who showed a broad spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses and illness severities. However, a significant improvement in terms of patients’ satisfaction with psychiatric care and their perception of treatment participation in favour of the NWpG-IC group was found.ConclusionsProviding integrated mental health care for unspecific mentally ill target groups increases treatment participation and service satisfaction but seems not suitable to enhance the overall outcomes of mental health care in Germany. The implementation of strategies for ameliorating the needs orientation of the NWpG-IC should be considered.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trial Register DRKS00005111, registered 26 July 2013.

Factors Influencing Patient-Perceived Satisfaction With Community-Based Case Management Services.

This study aimed to identify factors that significantly affect patient-perceived satisfaction with community-based case management services and provide practical strategies for improving patient-perceived quality of care. Secondary data analyses were performed in 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2016, which included Pearson's and Spearman's correlation, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and stepwise multiple regression. The response variable was measured by the Korean Patient-Perceived Satisfaction Scale of Community-Based Case Management Services (Korean-PSCCM; a 10-level Likert-type scale), whereas explanatory variables were derived from prior studies. Significant predictors of patient-perceived satisfaction with community-based case management services included "capacity to change," "patient-perceived time spent with a case manager," "support/advocacy," "working period," and "emotional connectedness."

Case Management for Children and Adolescents with Acquired Brain Injury in Community Settings: A Scoping Review

Background: Acquired brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children after infancy. Childhood brain injury has long-term consequences for children and parents, including challenges with returning to school, ongoing health and behaviour concerns, family functioning and demands on carers. Community-based case management interventions are a vital contribution to community supports.Aims: This scoping study aims to scope and map the literature on case management, to identify how case management is described in the literature for children and adolescents with acquired brain injury (0–17 years).Methods: A scoping review was completed of published articles on case management from four major databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PUBMed and Embase) between 2005 and 2015. Articles were selected against inclusion criteria and reviewed.Results: Eight articles of 2688 records met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Case management was provided by case managers and other health professionals. The case management interventions described were mapped to the International Classification of Health Interventions and the Brain Injury Case Management Taxonomy (BICM-T). Case management addressed a range of needs including return to school, family issues and ongoing medical needs. There were anecdotal reports of effectiveness of case management during the return to school process.Conclusion: This scoping study reveals a lack of information on this topic. Improved reporting of case management interventions and more research on case management is needed for children and adolescents with brain injury.