Evaluation of the model of environmental treatment of persons with double diagnosis

The study presents the results of the evaluation of the community treatment model Together, we can do more, which is based on the assumptions of community psychiatry. The described model is an example of a form of assistance recommended by WHO for people with serious mental disorders. The evaluation of the treatment model was based on data obtained from therapists and family members of patients with dual psychiatric diagnosis (PDP). Formative evaluation (evaluation of the program implementation process) and summative evaluation (evaluation of results – e.g. in the form of obtained support) were performed. In terms of evaluating the goals and process of the program, the focus was on the size and type of support received by the patient. The outcome evaluation indicator was the assessment of the patient’s functioning in various areas of everyday life, outside the medical system. Self-care, establishing relationships with other people, the ability to use public institutions, mental state, including awareness of addiction/disease have improved. There was also a reduction in the burden on the family with the patient’s mental problems. The evaluation of the environmental treatment model showed significantly longer duration of specialist care than hospitalization. According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Healthcare Institution (2019), the average length of stay in a psychiatric ward in Poland fluctuates around 1 month. In the discussed model, the average duration of participation in the project by a person with PDP was 8 months, with a standard deviation of 5.4.

The study presents the results of the evaluation of the community treatment model Together, we can do more, which is based on the assumptions of community psychiatry. The described model is an example of a form of assistance recommended by WHO for people with serious mental disorders. The evaluation of the treatment model was based on data obtained from therapists and family members of patients with dual psychiatric diagnosis (PDP). Formative evaluation (evaluation of the program implementation process) and summative evaluation (evaluation of results – e.g. in the form of obtained support) were performed. In terms of evaluating the goals and process of the program, the focus was on the size and type of support received by the patient. The outcome evaluation indicator was the assessment of the patient’s functioning in various areas of everyday life, outside the medical system. Self-care, establishing relationships with other people, the ability to use public institutions, mental state, including awareness of addiction/disease have improved. There was also a reduction in the burden on the family with the patient’s mental problems. The evaluation of the environmental treatment model showed significantly longer duration of specialist care than hospitalization. According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Healthcare Institution (2019), the average length of stay in a psychiatric ward in Poland fluctuates around 1 month. In the discussed model, the average duration of participation in the project by a person with PDP was 8 months, with a standard deviation of 5.4.