Evaluating a case management model for people with severe mental illness in Hong Kong: A preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the efficacy of a case management model for people with severe mental illness in halfway houses in Hong Kong. Participants and Methods: This study adopted a time-series quasi-experimental design. At time 1, newly formally admitted residents, in their first 3 months at 2 of the halfway houses in which the new case management model had been implemented, were assigned to the experimental group, while newly formally admitted residents of 3 other halfway houses were assigned to the comparison group. Time 2, Time 3 and Time 4 measurements were taken at 6-month intervals after the first interview. We hypothesised that participants who received case management services would have better outcomes in symptomatology, life skills, quality of life, re-hospitalisation rates, and length of re-hospitalisation than those who received standard halfway house services. Results: There were significant time and group effects on symptomatology (F = 7.08, p = 0.02) and life skills (F = 13.22, p < 0.001). No such effects were observed on the quality of life of participants (F = 0.52, p = 0.67). Conclusions: The findings reveal that those who received case management services had fewer rehospitalisations and shorter durations of inpatient treatment. Explanations of the findings and the potential implications are discussed. © 2009 Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists.