title: ["That you stay free, but always know there is this support rod that I need"].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Models of integrated care (IC) have a high potential to improve psychiatric care in a sectored health care system. The present study aims to delineate differences in the perception of psychiatric care after introduction of a regional IC-model in schizophrenic patients and family caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six focus group interviews with n = 32 schizophrenic patients and three with n = 17 family caregivers either from the region with IC-model or a nearby control region were conducted. Categories of the contents of transcribed interviews were developed and subsequently compared between persons with and without experience of IC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants of the IC-group were not aware to participate in an IC-model. Differences between IC- vs. non-IC groups were primarily related to feelings of security and experiences of flexibility of care which was ensured by the outpatient nursing service in the IC-model. This was noticeable both in daily living and in coping with crisis. No substantial differences were found with regard to the experience of cooperation of professionals, information and psychoeducation of patients as well as support for family caregivers, amongst others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IC will play an important part in the psychiatric care of schizophrenic patients. It has the potential to integrate sustainable relations, general availability and needs-related care provision.
authors: Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie.
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Jürgensen
authors: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Institut für Epidemiologie, Sozialmedizin und Gesundheitssystemforschung, Forschungsbereich Integrative Rehabilitationsforschung.
authors: Christiane
authors: C
authors: Patzelt
authors: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Institut für Epidemiologie, Sozialmedizin und Gesundheitssystemforschung, Forschungsbereich Integrative Rehabilitationsforschung.
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012944:Social Support