Intensive case management for people with serious mental illness- Site 2: Clinical and social outcome

This study assessed the effect of intensive case management (ICM) on the clinical and social functioning, and quality of life of people with serious mental illness, compared with standard psychiatric services. Referrals to ICM were randomly allocated to either ICM (n=39), or existing services (n=38). Assessments were carried out at baseline, and at 6 and 18 months. Measures included the BPRS, Life Skills Profile and the Quality of Life Interview. No difference in clinical or social functioning between the groups was found, despite the ICM group having a higher number of service contacts, and improved compliance with medication. Both groups had improved objective quality of life, with only gains in social security benefit uptake being greater for the ICM group. ICM teams may be necessary to keep contact with some clients, but are not sufficient to improve outcome. Such teams should focus on people with the most active problems, have a clinical emphasis and be multidisciplinary in composition.