Team consultancy using cognitive analytic therapy: a controlled study in assertive outreach

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Healthcare Management
• Team Dynamics

Background:

• Assertive Outreach Teams (AOT) provide critical support to patients with complex needs.
• Evaluating the efficacy of team-based consultancy models is essential for optimizing clinical services.
• Formulation-based consultancy offers a structured approach to addressing team and patient challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical and organizational effectiveness of formulation-based consultancy for clinical teams.
• To compare cognitive analytic consultancy (CAC) with treatment as usual (TAU) in an AOT setting.
• To evaluate the impact of consultancy on patient and team functioning.

Main Methods:

• A randomized control trial methodology was employed.
• Patients within an AOT were randomized to either CAC (n=10) or TAU (n=10).
• CAC involved consultancy sessions and team supervision; patient and team functioning were measured across four phases.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in patient outcomes were observed between CAC and TAU groups.
• The AOT's overall climate showed significant longitudinal improvement during the trial.
• CAC facilitated enhancements in clinical and team practices within the AOT.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive analytic consultancy positively impacted the team's functioning and practices.
• While patient outcomes were not directly affected, the organizational benefits warrant further investigation.
• The CAC model shows potential for development in improving clinical team dynamics and effectiveness.