title: Opportunities for Integrating Physical Health Within Assertive Community Treatment Teams: Results from Practitioner Focus Groups.
abstract: This qualitative study assessed the experiences of assertive community treatment (ACT) team members regarding the integration of physical and mental health self-management for persons with serious mental illness. Three focus groups elicited information from participants concerning barriers, strategies, and recommendations. Findings from inductive analyses revealed six overarching themes: (1) collaboration with primary care, (2) improvements in engagement, (3) team-focused roles, (4) education and training, (5) recommendations for system level barriers, and (6) systems collaboration. Participant recommendations suggest that ACT teams are well positioned to integrate mental and physical health treatment, but further research is needed to support integrated care.
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Center for Chemical and Mental Health, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA. psmeyer@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Piper S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Meyer-Kalos
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Adult Mental Health Division, Department of Human Services, State of Minnesota, PO Box 64981, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA.
authors.forename: Lynette M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Studer
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Center for Chemical and Mental Health, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Tanya A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Line
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 170 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Colleen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care
keywords: Assertive community treatment; Chronic health problems; Comorbidity; Integrated care; Serious mental illness