title: Early tailored assertive community case management for hard-to-engage adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders: an exploratory pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to evaluate the effects of assertive community treatment (ACT) on the mental health and overall functioning of adolescents suffering from severe psychiatric disorders and who refuse any traditional child psychiatric care. There are a few studies evaluating the effects of ACT on a population of adolescents with psychiatric disorders. This short report highlights the impact of an ACT programme tailored to the needs of these patients, not only as an alternative to hospitalization, but also as a new form of intervention for patients that are difficult to engage.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of ACT on 35 adolescents using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents (HoNOSCA) as a measuring tool in pre- and post-intervention was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that the intervention was associated with a significant improvement on the HoNOSCA overall score, with the following items showing significant amelioration: hyperactivity/focus problems, non-organic somatic symptoms, emotional symptoms, scholastic/language skills, peer relationships, family relationships and school attendance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ACT appears as a feasible intervention for hard-to-engage adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders. The intervention seems to improve their mental health and functioning. This pilot study may serve as a basis to prepare a controlled study that will also take the costs of the intervention into account.
authors: Children and Adolescents Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. vanessa.baier@chuv.ch
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Baier
authors: Jérôme
authors: J
authors: Favrod
authors: Pascale
authors: P
authors: Ferrari
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Koch
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Holzer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019090:Case Management; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects