[A study of the guideline of case management for persons with mental disorders analyzed with fidelity index. The conditions of effective implementation].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The present study examines the condition of effective case management based on the guideline of case management for persons with mental disorders. METHODS: A total of 295 clients were admitted to a case management trial for about 2 months. A fidelity index of program implementation and outcome measures of case management were developed. The relationship between implementation of critical program components measured by fidelity index, and outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: Fidelity Index was significantly correlated with outcome measures of clients, staffs and the care system. Effective but not-easily-feasible elements of program were having case-conference, application, of informal support and development of services. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to facilitate application of informal support with liaison with public health nurses, to standardize case-conference and to place development of care services in the core of programs for ensuring effective implementation of case management for persons with mental disorders in Japan.