title: Continuity of care for people with psychotic illness: its relationship to clinical and social functioning.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuity is a dynamic process, influenced significantly by care structures and organizational change.
authors.affiliation: St George's, University of London, UK.
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Catty
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geyer
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Ian Rees
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Til
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wykes
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment