Durability of the efficacy of integrated care in schizophrenia: a five-year randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the durability of efficacy of the Integrated Care (IC) program in a Swedish context. The IC program is a person-centered flexible assertive community treatment approach delivered through a novel mechanism: a resource group clinical microsystem for each patient.

METHODS

All patients with schizophrenia in a Gothenburg urban-sector catchment area were randomly assigned to either the IC or the Rational Rehabilitation (RR) programs. Sixty-six patients were interviewed and assessed by independent interviewers before treatment, after treatment (24 months), and at follow-up (five years). Analysis was by intention to treat.

RESULTS

At the five-year follow-up, significant improvements were noted in social functioning and consumer satisfaction in the IC group (N=35) compared with the RR group (N=31). No patients were lost to services in either program.

CONCLUSIONS

The major finding was the durability of efficacy of the IC program.