Community-Based Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in U.S.a. and Norway: Insights for New Service Delivery Systems

Abstract

This article reports on a successful community-based psychiatric treatment program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and describes subsequent experiences seeking approval of similar programs in Philadelphia and in Oslo, Norway. Previous studies have shown that the Philadelphia community-based program, which used patient social networks and indigenous community workers assisted by psychologi cal and psychiatric professionals, provided better treatment outcomes than traditional hospital programs and socioenvironmental treatment programs. On the basis of these experiences a new service delivery system was proposed which integrates patient social networks, community workers, and lay community organizations with mental health center professionals. Examination of differences in official responses to the proposal shows the importance of several factors, including the mental health bureaucracy's perception of patient potential, their openness to social psychological therapy, and the power struggles within the bureaucracy and the professional community.