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Introduction Although integrated community care programs specifically tailored to patients with severe mental illness (SMI) are available, recent studies show that these programs are not always provided to the population which would benefit the most from it. Objectives Aims of this study were the selection of clinical and psychosocial characteristics and the development of a screening algorithm indicating the need for integrated community care services in people with mental disorders. Methods Data of an observational longitudinal study including N=511 participants has been used to examine the hypothesized determinants. At baseline, self-reported empowerment has been assessed via the EPAS and psychosocial impairment and perceived needs have been rated by research workers via the HoNOS and the CAN, respectively. Use of integrated community care services was defined as at least four appointments with service providers over six months and has been recorded via the CSSRI twelve to 18 months after baseline. Mixed-effects regression analyses have been performed to test the predictive value of the hypothesized determinants and marginal predictions were used to define cut-offs for the assessment tool. Results EPAS, HoNOS and CAN scores each proved to be significant predictors for using integrated community care services. Cut-off scores for each predictor are presented, forming practical assessment guidelines for future studies. Conclusions A screening tool and an algorithm for the identification of mentally ill patients who can be expected to benefit from integrated community mental health care programs is available for the German health care system. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Abstract Background The community-based mental health care programme GBV is based on the British Community Mental Health Teams and the Dutch Flexible Assertive Community Treatment model. In addition, the programme offers crisis-intervention services. A special feature of this integrated care programme is the initial standardised assessment process regarding empowerment, unmet care needs, and psychosocial functioning, used to verify the need for such a comprehensive form of care. The project evaluates the assessment process and analyses the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of GBV compared to treatment as usual. Methods This randomised, controlled study includes five assessments over 2 years. In twelve regions in Germany, 1000 patients with severely impaired psychosocial functioning and unmet care needs will be recruited. Study eligibility relies on an indication for GBV based on the results of the initial assessment. The primary outcome is improved self-reported empowerment. Further outcomes include improved treatment satisfaction and subjective quality of life, reductions in patients’ unmet needs and illness-related clinical and social impairment, and an improved cost-effectiveness ratio of the resources used (from the perspectives of both statutory health insurance and the national economy). In addition, the GBV’s effects on the burden and quality of life of informal caregivers of patients will be investigated. Discussion The study’s results are expected to provide information on whether the community-based mental health care programme GBV contributes to improving mental health care provision in Germany. In addition, the study will show whether the GBV successfully overcomes the weaknesses that former research has identified regarding a German integrated care programme. Such improvement is particularly expected with respect to the semi-structured assessment within GBV. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Register, DRKS00019086 . Registered on 3 January 2020.

Background: The community-based mental health care programme GBV is based on the British Community Mental Health Teams and the Dutch Flexible Assertive Community Treatment model. In addition, the programme offers crisis-intervention services. A special feature of this integrated care programme is the initial standardised assessment process regarding empowerment, unmet care needs, and psychosocial functioning, used to verify the need for such a comprehensive form of care. The project evaluates the assessment process and analyses the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of GBV compared to treatment as usual.Methods: This randomised, controlled study includes five assessments over 2 years. In twelve regions in Germany, 1000 patients with severely impaired psychosocial functioning and unmet care needs will be recruited. Study eligibility relies on an indication for GBV based on the results of the initial assessment. The primary outcome is improved self-reported empowerment. Further outcomes include improved treatment satisfaction and subjective quality of life, reductions in patients' unmet needs and illness-related clinical and social impairment, and an improved cost-effectiveness ratio of the resources used (from the perspectives of both statutory health insurance and the national economy). In addition, the GBV's effects on the burden and quality of life of informal caregivers of patients will be investigated.Discussion: The study's results are expected to provide information on whether the community-based mental health care programme GBV contributes to improving mental health care provision in Germany. In addition, the study will show whether the GBV successfully overcomes the weaknesses that former research has identified regarding a German integrated care programme. Such improvement is particularly expected with respect to the semi-structured assessment within GBV.Trial Registration: German Clinical Trial Register, DRKS00019086 . Registered on 3 January 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]