Singh, Swaran P. (2000) Running an effective community mental health team. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, Volume 6 (Number 6). pp. 414-422. doi:10.1192/apt.6.6.414 ISSN 1355-5146.

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Abstract

Community psychiatric teams are an integral part of modern mental health services. The development of such teams has allowed the care of patients to be transferred from institutions to the community. A Cochrane review of community-based programmes showed that community team-based psychiatric services led to a reduction in suicide rates, improved patient engagement and were more acceptable to patients (Tyreret al, 1999). Community care also reduces the number of days patients stay in hospital, but not the number of admissions (Marshall et al, 1995). However, community mental health teams (CMHTs) have been criticised for their ambiguous and overambitious aims, and their tendency to neglect people with the most challenging health- and social-care needs (Patmore & Weaver, 1991; Sayce et al, 1991). All mental health workers are not necessarily eager, or skilled, to work effectively in teams. Building and maintaining an effective team requires commitment, clarity of purpose, a shared vision and frequent review of team operations. In a previous issue of APT, Burns & Guest (1999) described the adaptation and running of an assertive community treatment team in an inner-city area. Here I examine the attributes of effective CMHTs (Box 1⇓), enumerate barriers and challenges to team-working (Box 2⇓) and suggest strategies for improving team effectiveness (Box 3⇓).

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Mental Health and Wellbeing Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Community mental health services, Community mental health personnel, Mental health care teams
Journal or Publication Title:	Advances in Psychiatric Treatment
Publisher:	Royal College of Psychiatrists
ISSN:	1355-5146
Official Date:	2000
Volume:	Volume 6
Number:	Number 6
Page Range:	pp. 414-422
DOI:	10.1192/apt.6.6.414
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

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