Abstract
Introduction
Involving informal carers (family and friends of patients) in mental health interventions can lead to positive clinical and psychosocial outcomes such as relapse prevention or treatment adherence.
Aim/Question
To explore the evidence on the effectiveness of different models that involve carers in the transition between hospital and community mental health care.
Methods
Five electronic databases (PsychINFO, CINAHL, Medline, Embase and Scopus) and Grey literature (Open Grey and Grey Literature report) were systematically searched. The results were analysed using a narrative synthesis.
Results
Fourteen papers were identified. They described twelve interventions that were categorised into three groups: 1) purely educational programmes in preparation of discharge; 2) programmes that involved carers in planning the transition from the mental health inpatient treatment to community mental health services; 3) programmes that bridged into the aftercare involving carers in community follow‐up. The most comprehensive interventions, i.e. those including psychoeducation, care planning and aftercare follow‐up were better evaluated and showed a clearer benefit in improving long‐term outcomes and, in particular, reduce re‐hospitalisation.
Implications for Practice
Comprehensive interventions showed the clearest benefit in improving long‐term clinical outcomes of patients. Future research should explore implementation, costs and cost‐effectiveness, as comprehensive interventions delivered across different settings are likely to require wide‐ranging organisational changes and significant resources.