Filling the Gap for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Services in Canada: Implementing an Intensive Care Program

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Services Research

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) significantly impairs quality of life, function, and relationships.
• Limited specialized services existed for severe OCD cases in Canada.
• The Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre initiated an intensive program for severe OCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the development process of a new intensive services program for severe OCD.
• To share a potential treatment model for residential psychiatric care.
• To inform the application of this model to other severe, treatment-refractory psychiatric conditions.

Main Methods:

• Gathered insights from service users and providers.
• Incorporated best practices from North American and international treatment models.
• Developed a comprehensive program structure for intensive residential psychiatric treatment.

Main Results:

• Successfully launched an intensive services program for severe OCD at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
• Established a replicable treatment model incorporating user and provider feedback.
• Identified key generalizable components for treating severe psychiatric illnesses.

Conclusions:

• The developed intensive program addresses a critical gap in Canadian mental health services for severe OCD.
• The program model offers a transferable framework for other severe, treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders.
• Collaboration with service users and providers is crucial for effective program development.