Assertive outreach teams: their roles and functions

This critical evaluation considers research literature on Assertive Outreach Teams (AOTs). The extensive examination of this multi-professional service configuration is contrasted with the under-defined and untested nature of the service interventions that are provided by these teams. An audit of crisis management work in an AOT is reported and twelve areas of "life difficulties" are identified. An attempt to measure these life difficulties is then described. The use of this measurement for prioritizing referrals, managing workloads, agreeing care plans and measuring outcomes is discussed. Finally, the inadequacy of existing research approaches and associated problems in the separation of management and clinical practices are considered.