One-year outcomes of a randomized trial of consumer case management

Using a pretest posttest experimental design, intensive case management service provided by a mental health consumer team of case managers based in a consumer self-help organization was compared to the services of a team of nonconsumer case managers based in a community mental health center. It was hypothesized that the clients assigned to a consumer team of case managers would have the same outcomes as clients assigned to a team of nonconsumer case managers with regard to behavioral symptomatology, a variety of clinical and social outcomes and quality of life for persons served. Ninety-one clients with serious and persistent mental illness were interviewed at baseline and after one year of service. Using a hierarchical block regression analysis for one year outcomes, it was found that these outcomes did significantly differ for the clients of the two teams. The differences lay in less satisfaction with mental health treatment and less contact with family members among clients served by consumer case managers.