Patient experiences of crisis home treatment teams: a systematic review and thematic synthesis

Crisis home treatment teams (CHTTs) provide rapid at-home assessments and crisis support to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Exploring patient feedback on CHTTs can provide policymakers and service planners useful insight regarding service enhancements and improvements in care quality. The current systematic review aims to explore patient experiences on CHTTs, to inform policy decision-making and care quality.

The current review synthesised ten eligible qualitative studies (from Medline, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL) on patient experiences of CHTTs using thematic synthesis. Adult patients with a past or current experience of CHTTs, as well as a mental health diagnosis were included in the review.

The current review revealed that patients valued the rapid accessibility of services and positive characteristics of staff that contributed to cultivating strong therapeutic relationships. Patients also appreciated having equal power in treatment decision-making. However, concerns were raised regarding staff timekeeping, receiving generic treatment not well-tailored to patient's unique circumstances, and inconsistencies in continuity of service delivery and smooth transition to other services.

Patient feedback on service improvements are useful for service planners and policymakers to improve CHTT services. Based on the results of this study, the importance of staff timeliness, having a smooth transition during the end of care, and tailored staff training for various demographics can improve CHTT service quality and delivery. Further qualitative research is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of patient needs and experiences in various regions and demographics.