Case Management for Individuals with a Severe Mental Illness: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Background: As a part of a set of reforms launched in 1995, 10 pilot case management services were established in Sweden, which have been subject to an evaluation with regard to outcome and changes in use of services. The present study was designed to provide information about client outcomes over a 6-year follow-up period. Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate changes during the follow-up period with regard to symptoms, needs for care, psychosocial functioning, quality of life and social network. Methods: The study used a time series design with 6-year follow-up of client outcomes. Results: Of the original 176 clients, 92 clients participated in the 6-year follow-up. Improvements were found in a number of clinical aspects, quality of life and social network, and a decrease in use of psychiatric services during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The findings support results from earlier studies showing a decrease in use of psychiatric services and sustained improvements in social functioning. The study also supports the findings that client outcomes change over time and that certain outcomes do not appear in a short-term perspective.