Continuity of care for people with psychotic illness: its relationship to clinical and social functioning.

Catty, J., White, S., Clement, S., Cowan, N., Geyer, C., Harvey, K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6819-0934, Rees Jones, I., McLaren, S., Poole, Z., Rose, D., Wykes, T. and Burns, T. (2013) Continuity of care for people with psychotic illness: its relationship to clinical and social functioning. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 59 (1). pp. 5-17. ISSN 1741-2854 doi: 10.1177/0020764011421440

Abstract/Summary

Background: The relationship between continuity of care and user characteristics or outcomes has rarely been explored. The ECHO study operationalized and tested a multi-axial definition of continuity of care, producing a seven-factor model used here. Aims: To assess the relationship between user characteristics and established components of continuity of care, and the impact of continuity on clinical and social functioning. Methods: The sample comprised 180 community mental health team users with psychotic disorders who were interviewed at three annual time-points, to assess their experiences of continuity of care and clinical and social functioning. Scores on seven continuity factors were tested for association with user-level variables. Results: Improvement in quality of life was associated with better Experience & Relationship continuity scores (better user-rated continuity and therapeutic relationship) and with lower Meeting Needs continuity factor scores. Higher Meeting Needs scores were associated with a decrease in symptoms. Conclusion: Continuity is a dynamic process, influenced significantly by care structures and organizational change.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/31091
Identification Number/DOI	10.1177/0020764011421440
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Nutrition and Health
Publisher	Sage
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