Elsabeth Jensen

Developing and testing an intervention to prevent homelessness among individuals discharged from psychiatric wards to shelters and 'No Fixed Address'.

Shelter data in a recent study revealed discharges from psychiatric facilities to shelters or the street occurred at least 194 times in 2002 in London, Ontario, Canada. This problem must be addressed to reduce the disastrous effects of such discharge, including re-hospitalization and prolonged homelessness. An intervention was developed and tested to prevent homelessness associated with discharge directly to no fixed address. A total of 14 participants at-risk of being discharged without housing were enrolled, with half randomized into the intervention group. The intervention group was provided with immediate assistance in accessing housing and assistance in paying their first and last months rent. The control group received usual care. Data was collected from participants prior to discharge, at 31 and 6-months post-discharge. All the individuals in the intervention group maintained housing after 3 and 6 months. All but one individual in the control group remained homeless after 3 and 6 months. The exception joined the sex trade to avoid homelessness. The results of this pilot were so dramatic that randomizing to the control group was discontinued. Discussions are underway to routinely implement the intervention. Systemic improvements can prevent homelessness for individuals being discharged from psychiatric wards.

Perceptions of health and health service utilization among homeless and housed psychiatric consumer/survivors

Homelessness has a direct impact on health. Homeless individuals report several barriers to accessing health care. Although research exists regarding the utilization of health services for homeless and housed psychiatric consumer/survivors, few studies have compared the perceived health and service utilization of these two groups. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not differences exist between the utilization of health services and the perceptions of health of homeless and housed psychiatric consumer/survivors in London, Ontario, Canada. It was hypothesized that differences would exist between homeless and housed psychiatric consumer/survivors on all health-related variables examined. A secondary analysis of quantitative data was conducted in a Community-University Research Alliance on Mental Health and Housing project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Key findings include significant differences in the characteristics of each population, the use of health services and their perceptions of health. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Integrating an Evidence-based Intervention into Clinical Practice: 'Transitional Relationship Model'

The transitional relationship model (TRM) facilitates the discharge process by providing peer support and hospital staff involvement until a therapeutic relationship has been established with a community care provider. A quasi-experimental, action-oriented research design was employed in which psychiatric wards at six hospital sites implemented the model in three waves. Helpful strategies were identified by each wave of wards for consideration by subsequent wards. Using an ethnographic approach, qualitative data were examined to uncover experiences and perceptions of TRM implementation and to help identify key issues that were supporting or hampering implementation. Specific strategies that facilitate the implementation of TRM include: (1) the use of educational modules for on-ward hospital staff training and peer training; (2) presence of on-site champions; and (3) supportive documentation systems. Issues identified as barriers to implementation included: (1) feeling drowned, swamped and overwhelmed; (2) death by process; (3) team dynamics; and (4) changes in champions. Staged large-scale implementation of the TRM allowed for iterative improvements to the model leading to positive outcomes. This study highlights the need to address work environment issues, particularly interprofessional teams.Accessible summary The transitional relationship model (TRM) facilitates the discharge of psychiatric clients from hospital to community by providing hospital staff involvement until a therapeutic relationship has been established with a community care provider as well as peer support. Psychiatric wards at six hospital sites implemented the TRM in three waves. Monthly summaries, progress reports, meeting minutes and focus group discussions were reviewed in order to uncover facilitators and barriers to TRM implementation. Factors that facilitated TRM implementation included: educational modules for staff and peer training, the presence of on-site champions, and supportive documentation systems. Barriers included: feeling swamped/overwhelmed, death by process, team dynamics and changes in champions. Implementation strategies suggested by the initial hospital wards were used to enhance implementation on subsequent wards, leading to positive outcomes. This study highlights the need to address work environment issues when implementing healthcare interventions, particularly for interprofessional teams. Abstract The transitional relationship model (TRM) facilitates the discharge process by providing peer support and hospital staff involvement until a therapeutic relationship has been established with a community care provider. A quasi-experimental, action-oriented research design was employed in which psychiatric wards at six hospital sites implemented the model in three waves. Helpful strategies were identified by each wave of wards for consideration by subsequent wards. Using an ethnographic approach, qualitative data were examined to uncover experiences and perceptions of TRM implementation and to help identify key issues that were supporting or hampering implementation. Specific strategies that facilitate the implementation of TRM include: (1) the use of educational modules for on-ward hospital staff training and peer training; (2) presence of on-site champions; and (3) supportive documentation systems. Issues identified as barriers to implementation included: (1) feeling drowned, swamped and overwhelmed; (2) death by process; (3) team dynamics; and (4) changes in champions. Staged large-scale implementation of the TRM allowed for iterative improvements to the model leading to positive outcomes. This study highlights the need to address work environment issues, particularly interprofessional teams.

Preventing Homelessness After Discharge from Psychiatric Wards: Perspectives of Consumers and Staff

After spending time in the hospital, psychiatric clients are often discharged to homeless shelters or the streets, which can place a burden on health care systems. This study examined the effects of an intervention in which psychiatric clients from acute (n = 219) and tertiary (n = 32) sites were provided with predischarge assistance in securing housing. A program evaluation design was used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention. Qualitative data were available through interviews, focus groups, and monthly meetings. The results highlight several benefits of the intervention and show that homelessness can be reduced by connecting housing support, income support, and psychiatric care.

Exploring Differences Between Community-Based Women and Men with a History of Mental Illness

Relatively little is understood concerning the role of gender in persons with a history of mental illness residing in the community. This paper aims to explore genders effect using data from the Community Research University Alliance project entitled, Mental Health and Housing. The primary five-year longitudinal study examined housing situations for psychiatric consumer/survivors in a mid-size, central Canadian region in an effort to improve the number and quality of appropriate housing situations. Data from 887 subjects in the original research underwent secondary analysis with particular relevance to differences between gender and indicators of health status including psychiatric history, levels of functioning, personal strengths and resources, and illness severity. Results of the secondary analysis found male and female differences that corroborated previous research. More women are housed than men, more women with mental illness were coupled than men, men have fewer social supports, and men have more substance abuse issues than women. These findings suggest health services within the community must consider these sex differences if they wish to properly assist Canadian individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses.

P03-547 - Reducing psychiatric discharges to homelessness

In London, Ontario, discharges from psychiatric wards to shelters or NFA occurred 194 times per year. This discovery led to the creation of a pilot project that provided immediate access to a housing advocate and changed normal policies related to housing and start-up fees for a select group of income support recipients. The intervention was successful; seven participants who received this additional assistance were still housed six months later, whereas 6 of 7 who received usual care were still homeless. The goal of the current study was to determine the strengths and areas for improvement of a method to prevent discharge from hospital to NFA and suggest improvements in preparation for wider implementation. Phase 2: intervention to all acute psychiatric patients within a general hospital. Phase 3: intervention to all patients within a specialized tertiary care psychiatric hospital. Intervention included on-ward access to a housing advocate and income support staff which was facilitated through computer linkages to housing and income databases. Findings revealed the success of the intervention across both acute and tertiary sites. All hypotheses were supported: the rate of discharge to homelessness decreased; those accessing the service were poor; and the cost savings from the program exceeded the cost of implementation. Advantages of the approach included: accessibility and convenience of services on site, positive influence on overall treatment plan and feelings of independence and support. Results reveal the positive influence a cross-sectoral approach has on preventing discharge from psychiatric wards to the streets and shelters.