Differences Between Clients and Professionals of Forensic and Nonforensic Flexible Assertive Community Treatment

Flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) has been adapted for application with clients with criminal justice involvement (forensic FACT [ForFACT]). Differences have been found between clients of ForFACT services and clients of nonforensic FACT services; however, less is known about differences in behaviors. Furthermore, because of the different guiding frameworks and goals of treatment, and the difference in clients' presenting problems, it is possible professionals also differ in terms of specialist skills they need and in areas of care they deem important.

The current study used an online survey among professionals of ForFACT and non-ForFACT teams to gain insight into mental disorders and clients' presenting behavioral problems and to gain insight into the level of forensic vigilance needed by professionals of both services. We also gathered information pertaining to important areas of care and what both groups of professionals view as key nursing interventions.

ForFACT clients differ from non-ForFACT clients in terms of the clients' presenting psychiatric problems. Furthermore, ForFACT professionals indicated they encounter more clients who show aggressive and (sexually) transgressive behavior. ForFACT professionals were found to score higher on forensic vigilance; however, no differences pertaining to important areas of care and key nursing interventions were found.

These findings further strengthen the notion that ForFACT clients are a different group compared with non-ForFACT clients, and professionals need different skills. Organizations could provide tailored supervision and training to ForFACT professionals.