title: Effects of the two-way communication checklist (2-COM): a one-year cluster randomized study in a group of severely mentally ill persons.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a health-care service with the emphasis on improvement related to functioning and well-being, the communication process between patient and professionals is essential. There is a lack of research on this matter.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to investigate, in a group of severely mentally ill persons, whether the use of a simple communication tool could influence the sense of empowerment, satisfaction with care, therapeutic alliance and unmet needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study had a cluster randomized design. The intervention was a communication tool (2-COM) applied in two teams during one year. In a comparison group of two other teams, the treatment was as usual. At baseline, after six months, and after one year, assessments were made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After one year the 2-COM groups seemed to have a larger reduction in unmet needs compared to the treatment-as-usual group. However, there were large problems with attrition in the study, and it was not possible to draw relevant conclusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methodological problems were substantial, and the study may be considered as a pilot study. In a main study the researchers ought to take control over the selection of patients on the basis of the experiences from this study.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arvidsson
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olin
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tidefors
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D057189:Checklist; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013548:Sweden