OBJECTIVE. To evaluate a community-based mobile crisis intervention program, determine its impact on the rate and timing of both hospitalization and receipt of follow-up community services, and identify consumer characteristics related to those outcomes. METHODS. A quasi-experimental design using ex post matched control groups was conducted. Consumers served by a community-based Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) were matched with consumers served by a hospital-based Psychiatric Emergency Room (PER) on seven variables that have been found to be related to likelihood of hospitalization. The differences in the rate and timing between cohorts were assessed using proportional-hazards models. RESULTS. Consumers served by the MCT were 51% less likely to be hospitalized within a 30-day observation window than consumers served by the PER. Decisions to treat a greater percentage in the community rather than hospitalizing did not increase the risk for subsequent hospitalization. In addition, consumers served by the MCT were 17% more likely than consumers served by the PER to receive follow-up community services within a 90-day observation window. Further analysis revealed no significant difference between cohorts for consumers already active in the mental health system. However, among new consumers, the likelihood of receiving follow-up community services for those served by the MCT was 48% more than that for those served by the PER. The impact of consumer characteristics, such as diagnosis, presenting problems, substance use, and living arrangements, on outcomes will be presented.
Learning Objectives: The participants in this session will be able to: Describe the method used to evaluate the impact of mobile crisis services on the likelihood of hospitalization. Describe the method used to evaluate the impact of mobile crisis services on the likelihood of receipt of follow-up community service. List three client characteristics that are significantly related to an increased likelihood of hospitalization. List three client characteristics that are significantly related to a decreased likelihood of receipt of follow-up community service. Discuss implications of the research for policy makers, researchers, and service providers
Keywords: Mental Health Services, Emergency
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.