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Tsoli F, Botsari IA, Tsianeli A, Menti N, Kontoudi P, Peritogiannis V. Difficult-to-Engage Patients with Severe Mental Illness in Rural Community Settings: Results of the Greek Hybrid Assertive Community Treatment Model of Mental Healthcare. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2660. [PMID: 38731189 PMCID: PMC11084530 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Modified Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in rural settings may be effective in the care of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) that are difficult to engage in community care. The objective of the present study was to explore the impact of the care by a hybrid ACT team on SMI patients' hospitalizations, length of hospital stay, symptomatology and functioning in a rural community treatment setting in Greece. Methods: The hybrid ACT team is an expansion of the services of the well-established generic Mobile Mental Health Unit in a rural area of Northwest Greece, and delivers home-based care for patients with SMI. This was a 3-year prospective, mirror image, pre-post observational study. Patients' symptomatology, functioning and general outcome were measured with the use of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HοNOS). Results: The mean age of the 23 enrolled patients was 52.4 years and the mean age of disease onset was 23.5 years, with a mean number of hospitalizations 10.74. Over the 16-month follow-up patients' hospitalizations, both voluntary and involuntary, had been significantly reduced by almost 80%. Length of hospital stay had been significantly reduced by 87%, whereas patients' functioning and symptomatology had been significantly improved, by 17% and 14.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The model of hybrid ACT in rural areas in Greece may be effective in the treatment of difficult-to-engage patients with SMI and may improve patients' outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotini Tsoli
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, 45445 Ioannina, Greece; (F.T.); (A.T.); (N.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Ioanna Athina Botsari
- Early Intervention in Psychosis Unit, University Mental Health Research Institute, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Agnes Tsianeli
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, 45445 Ioannina, Greece; (F.T.); (A.T.); (N.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Nefeli Menti
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, 45445 Ioannina, Greece; (F.T.); (A.T.); (N.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Panagiota Kontoudi
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, 45445 Ioannina, Greece; (F.T.); (A.T.); (N.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Vaios Peritogiannis
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, 45445 Ioannina, Greece; (F.T.); (A.T.); (N.M.); (P.K.)
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Grammeniati A, Mantziou A, Peritogiannis V. First-contact patients with a community mental health service in rural Greece: A 3-year prospective study of treatment attendance and its co-relations. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2024; 70:355-363. [PMID: 38193429 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231212097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment continuation is essential for the optimal management of patients with mental disorders in the community, but treatment and outcome are often undermined by the high rates of service disengagement and treatment non-adherence across all psychiatric diagnoses. The phenomenon may be even more relevant in rural settings. AIMS The aim of the present study was to explore attendance to treatment in first-contact patients in a community-based treatment setting in rural Greece and to explore the associations of treatment attendance with demographic and clinical factors. METHOD Data were collected prospectively over a 3-year period, with 1-year follow-up interval. All first-contact cases with the Mobile Mental Health Unit of the prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia (MMHU I-T), Northwest Greece were considered, but only clinical cases were processed. RESULTS The sample size consisted of 446 patients, with a mean age 65.4 ± 18.8 years. The rate of 12-month attendance to mental health treatment was 13.5% (60 out of 446 patients). Treatment attendance was found to be correlated with younger age, the diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, and patients' referral by other psychiatric services. First examination over the year 2019 had been significantly inversely associated with treatment engagement. CONCLUSION Rates of subsequent attendance after initial assessment in a rural community mental healthcare setting were rather low in the present study. Several variables that have been previously associated with service engagement were found to be related in this study too, whereas other were not. Research on treatment engagement in rural treatment settings should be ongoing to reveal all associated factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Grammeniati
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Alexandra Mantziou
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vaios Peritogiannis
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, Ioannina, Greece
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Cheng C, Nadin S, Bohonis H, Katt M, Dewa CS. NorthBEAT: exploring the service needs of youth experiencing early psychosis in Northern Ontario. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2023; 3:1163452. [PMID: 38028941 PMCID: PMC10646171 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1163452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) is critical for best outcomes. Among 369 diseases, psychosis is among those causing the greatest disability. Evidence-based interventions for youth in early stages of psychosis (EPI programs) have prevented chronic disability. Yet, EPI is frequently inaccessible for youth living in rural communities. Moreover, Indigenous youth often face more precipitous situations given inadequate staffing, and culturally unsafe care. The NorthBEAT (Barriers to Early Assessment and Treatment) project sought to understand the service needs of youth with psychosis in Northern Ontario. The goals were: (1) to describe the mental health of a subset of adolescents receiving EPI care; (2) examine Indigenous youth as a significant and vulnerable population; (3) to understand the barriers and facilitators for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth receiving EPI. Methods Mixed methods (structured and narrative interviews) included: psychometric scales interviews with youth, and narrative interviews with youth, their family, and service providers Data validation workshops were held with participants. Results Structured interviews with 26 youth (M = 17 years) found the participants functioning moderately well with duration of untreated psychosis ranging from 1 to 96 months (M = 26 months). No significant differences were found in functioning or duration of psychosis between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Narrative interviews were conducted with 18 youth, 11 family members, and 14 service providers. Identified barriers were a lack of knowledge about psychosis among service providers, a disconnected system leading to delays in treatment, help not wanted by youth, expansive geographical context. Service needs were: finding the right point of access, support for families, pre-crisis intervention, reduced stigma for youth and their families, and an EPI approach to care. Discussion Rural and northern youth face similar barriers to accessing EPI as urban youth. However, northern youth face additional unique challenges due to expansive geographical context, limited resources and lack of knowledge about services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiachen Cheng
- Addictions and Mental Health, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- Clinical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Shevaun Nadin
- Addictions and Mental Health, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Hafsa Bohonis
- Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity, Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Mae Katt
- Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Carolyn S. Dewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Darker CD, Nicolson G, Reddon H, O'Connor K, Jennings R, O'Connell N. Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of an early intervention in psychosis service in three demonstration sites in Ireland. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:653. [PMID: 37337176 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09585-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmes for early intervention (EIP) in psychosis for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP) have been found to be both clinically and cost effective. Following the publication of a new EIP model of care (MoC) in Ireland, the aim of this research is to describe how people participated in and responded to the MoC including service users, family members, HSE clinical staff and HSE management. METHODS Qualitative design using the UK Medical Research Council's process evaluation framework. Purposive sampling techniques were used. A total of N = 40 key informant semi-structured interviews were completed which included clinical staff (N = 22), health service managers and administrators (N = 9), service users (N = 8) and a family member (N = 1). Thematic analyses were conducted. RESULTS Unique features of the EIP service (e.g., speed of referral/assessment, multidisciplinary approach, a range of evidence-based interventions and assertive MDT follow up) and enthusiasm for EIP were identified as two key factors that facilitated implementation. In contrast, obstacles to staff recruitment and budget challenges emerged as two primary barriers to implementation. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this research provide real world insights into the complexity of implementing an innovative service within an existing health system. Clear and committed financial and human resource processes which allow new innovations to thrive and be protected during their initiation and early implementation phase are paramount. These elements should be considered in the planning and implementation of EIP services both nationally in Ireland and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Darker
- Discipline of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Population Health, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - G Nicolson
- Health Promotion and Improvement Department, HSE Health and Wellbeing, 1st Floor Old National Ambulance Training Building, St Marys Hospital Campus, Phoenix Park, Dublin 20, Chapelizod, D20 TY72, Ireland
| | - H Reddon
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - K O'Connor
- National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis, Health Service Executive Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Rise, South Lee Mental Health Services, Cork & Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - R Jennings
- National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis, Health Service Executive Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - N O'Connell
- Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme, HSE Health and Wellbeing, Strategy and Research, 89-94 Capel St, Dublin 1, Dublin, D01 P281, Ireland
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Peritogiannis V, Roganaki A, Siarava E, Samakouri M. Mild Cognitive Impairment in Rural Areas: Research Advances and Implications for Clinical Practice and Healthcare Policy. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10071340. [PMID: 35885866 PMCID: PMC9323373 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild cognitive or neurocognitive impairment (MCI) may be more prevalent in rural areas. Differences between rural and urban MCI patients in terms of risk factors, course and prognosis are rarely reported. The present review aims to summarize the latest research on MCI in rural areas. A literature search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect for articles published over the last decade. Eleven articles were included in this review, reporting on the differences between rural and urban MCI patients. Several risk factors, such as older age, lack of activities and food insecurity have been associated with MCI in both rural and urban areas, whereas others, such as obesity, adverse childhood experiences and plasma chemokine C-C motif ligand 11 (considered as a potential negative regulator of neurogenesis), differed according to the place of residence. No specific protective factor for rural women has been reported. There is some evidence that MCI may present earlier in rural residents, but that progression to dementia may be more rapid in urban residents. It seems that there may be clinically relevant differences in the onset, course and prognosis of MCI with regards to the place of residence (urban vs rural). Those differences should be taken into account for the design of health policies and service delivery across different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaios Peritogiannis
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, 54 Pashidi Str., 44445 Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (A.R.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-265-102-1227
| | - Aglaia Roganaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (A.R.); (M.S.)
- Mouzaki Health Center, 43060 Mouzaki, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Siarava
- Department of Neurology, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Maria Samakouri
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (A.R.); (M.S.)
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Peritogiannis V, Samakouri M. Research on psychotic disorders in rural areas: Recent advances and ongoing challenges. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2021; 67:1046-1057. [PMID: 34024174 DOI: 10.1177/00207640211019456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on patients with chronic psychotic disorders in rural areas is scarce. Those patients may not receive adequate mental health care. Mental health disparities among rural and urban areas have been recognized. AIMS This review aims to present the most recent research on psychotic disorders in rural areas. METHOD We conducted a search in the PubMed and Scopus databases. The search involved articles published over the last decade (2011-2020). All types of research design were included, if studies had used a controlled group of urban patients and reported on the differences among rural/urban residents with psychotic disorders. The focus of the review was on outcome and treatment. RESULTS A total of 12 studies were included in this review. Most have been conducted in China or India. Reports from Western countries are rare. Outcome studies showed that employment rates are significantly higher in rural patients, as well as rates of marriage in women. It is not clear what is the impact of those outcomes on patients' lives. The finding of lower cost of psychotic disorders in some rural areas, should be viewed with scepticism. Studies on treatment aspects suggested that rural patients were less likely to receive antipsychotics, antipsychotic combination or clozapine. Those results were attributed to limited access to specialized treatment. When rural patients receive specialized community care they seem to have better outcomes than urban patients. CONCLUSION There is an ongoing, but still scarce research on patients with chronic psychotic disorders in rural areas. Researchers pointed out the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on outcome and treatment, and stressed the importance of minimizing mental health disparities. These findings may have potential implications for future research; for the introduction of accessible, locally based mental health services in rural areas; and for political initiatives that would address poverty and social inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaios Peritogiannis
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria Samakouri
- Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,Department of Psychiatry, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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