Effect of Enhanced Home Treatment on Psychiatric Inpatient Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of Enhanced Home Treatment Care on the Speed of Recovery and Length of Inpatient Stay in Psychiatric Patients: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial
IRAS ID
177971
Contact name
Hamid Alhaj
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of an enhanced home treatment following a proposed shortened inpatient stay with standard inpatient and community psychiatric follow-up care plan (Treatment as Usual). As a pilot project, the objectives include ensuring recruitment, randomisation, treatment and follow-up assessments will run smoothly and data will be used to inform the application of a multi-centre trial. \n\nForty psychiatric inpatients, who have capacity and do consent to the study will have their estimated discharge date set by the treating clinical team prior to being randomised into two groups. The control group will have a standard psychiatric care followed by standard follow up. The treatment group will have a proposed shortened admission (half the original set time; subject to approval from the treating clinician), followed by a two-week enhanced home treatment care. The enhanced home treatment plan will include a daily thorough review by a multidisciplinary Home Treatment Team and a weekly assessment with a Senior Psychiatrist as well as access to the out of hours services.\n\nAll participants will be assessed using specific psychiatric measures administered every two weeks over the course of the study. These will rate anxiety and depression levels, thoughts and experiences, quality of sleep and incidences of self harm (if applicable). Length of hospital stay and patient and carer satisfaction will also be measured at the end of the study. \n\nThis pilot project will shed light on our understanding of adult psychiatric patients’ experiences in the acute care system and the prospects of utilising enhanced home treatment as an alternative to extended inpatient admission. It will inform our future decisions on how to provide the best quality of care to this group of patients. \n
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0014
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion