Intensive outpatient interventions for youth with complex mental illness: a scoping review protocol

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Mental illness frequently emerges in youth (ages 15-24), with a subset experiencing complex needs requiring extensive, multi-sectoral services.
• Complex mental illness in youth is characterized by functional impairment and multimorbidity, necessitating effective early interventions to prevent long-term consequences.
• Existing intensive outpatient models aim to address these needs, but a comprehensive synthesis of evidence is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of intensive outpatient interventions for youth with complex mental illness.
• To identify and categorize the types of interventions evaluated, the specific populations targeted, and the outcomes measured.
• To inform future research and clinical efforts for this vulnerable group.

Main Methods:

• The review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across seven academic databases for English-language studies from 1990 to present.
• Inclusion criteria focus on outpatient models with intensive components for youth (15-24) with complex mental illness features, with independent screening by two reviewers.

Main Results:

• This section is to be populated upon completion of the review.
• The review will provide a comprehensive overview of existing evidence on intensive outpatient interventions.
• Findings will detail the range of interventions, target demographics, and outcome measures identified in the literature.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive synthesis of intensive outpatient interventions for youth with complex mental illness is needed.
• This review will provide critical insights into current practices and research gaps.
• Dissemination will inform the development and implementation of effective transdiagnostic services for youth with complex mental illness.