Perceptions of ACT Team Members on the Implementation of Physical Health Services: A Qualitative Study

Background: Adults with severe mental illnesses have mortality rates 2.5 to 3 times higher than the general population, largely due to medical illnesses. Those with the most profound mental illnesses are served by assertive community treatment (ACT) teams that provide intensive mental health care; however, there are no clearly established models to integrate physical health treatment into ACT and this is a critical gap in the literature. Aims: To describe perceptions of ACT team members regarding services provided for their clients to treat physical health, how those services can be improved, and what implementation strategies would likely be needed to promote uptake and sustainability of those services on ACT teams. Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted via Zoom using a semistructured interview guide with 19 employees from three ACT teams in a southeastern state. Interview transcripts were analyzed, using manifest content analysis, a form of qualitative analysis, to identify key themes in the interview transcripts. Results: ACT team members described limited physical health services for their clients. They reported (1) system-level barriers to improving physical health care, such as inadequate tools and training; and (2) patient-level barriers, such as limited awareness of physical care needs. ACT team members reported the need for additional medical staff and strengthened relationships with primary care providers. They also recommended changes in policy, education, and quality monitoring to implement new physical health care services. Conclusions: Findings suggest intervention components and implementation strategies for improving physical health care of ACT consumers.