Continuity of care for people with non-psychotic disorders

Service users with non-psychotic disorders are rarely studied. How continuity of care functions for this group is unknown.

To compare users of community mental health teams with non-psychotic disorders to those with psychotic disorders in terms of demographic and illness characteristics, continuity of care and clinical and social functioning.

Service users with non-psychotic disorders (N = 98) were followed up for one year and compared to 180 service users with psychotic disorders. Continuity of care factors were tested for association with user, illness and service variables.

Service users with non-psychotic disorders experienced more care transitions, but there were no differences in team practices in relation to these two different groups.

The underlying concepts of continuity of care derived from users with psychotic disorders appear to be meaningful for users with non-psychotic disorders. Their greater likelihood of experiencing disruptive and distressing care transitions needs to be addressed.