The effectiveness of rural assertive outreach: A prospective cohort study in an English region

Abstract

Background: Assertive Outreach has yet to be demonstrated to be effective in the UK. Few studies have explored its implementation in rural settings.

Aims: To establish whether the Assertive Outreach Team (AOT) model is effective in reducing hospital bed use and in improving engagement with services and social functioning in a mixed rural and urban area in the UK.

Method: A prospective within subject control design, following a cohort of 42 patients during a period of 2 years prior to the implementation of an AOT, and for the first year of its operation.

Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in bed use among the cohort during the first year of AOT, with secondary findings of improved engagement with services and social functioning.

Conclusions: AOT can be effectively implemented in a mainstream NHS setting, in an area with a substantial rural population.

Declaration of interest: None.

Keywords:

• Assertive outreach
• effectiveness
• community mental health services
• hospital bed utilisation
• mental health community care