Adapting Critical Time Intervention to Support Inpatient Medical Care Transition

We are pursuing a pilot study to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of adapting a critical time intervention (CTI) approach for adults with schizophrenia who have been admitted for the inpatient treatment of ambulatory care sensitive conditions. These are common health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or short-term complications from diabetes mellitus, in which appropriate ambulatory care prevents or reduces the need for inpatient treatment. A 2-arm pilot study will randomize 80 eligible inpatients to receive either: 1) treatment as usual (TAU) (N=20); or 2) CTI and TAU (N=40). Participants assigned to CTI will meet with a CTI care manger during their inpatient stay and over a 3-month period following hospital discharge. CTI care managers will assess and address patient needs and barriers to outpatient medical and mental health care and provide support and assistance with health and mental health care management. The primary outcome measure will be all-cause hospital readmissions at 7 and 30 days following discharge. Secondary outcomes will include follow-up with medical and mental health at 7 and 30 days following hospital discharge. Patients receiving CTI will also receive 6 and 12 week assessments to evaluate secondary outcomes including satisfaction with CTI services, psychiatric symptoms, community function, and involvement in medical care decisions.