What effect does the implementation of the 15-Mental model in outpatient psychiatry have on patients’ alcohol use, well-being, and psychiatric treatment?
Substance use and mental illness are a challenging and frequently occurring combination. Unfortunately, only a small proportion of patients with problematic alcohol use seek help for it, and there are also a number of barriers among healthcare professionals to addressing the issue.
15-Mental is a model designed to support staff in outpatient psychiatry in identifying, addressing, and treating potentially harmful alcohol use among their patients. The model is based on elements of cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and, where appropriate, pharmacological treatment.
In the 15-Mental project, we examine how effective the model is in reducing the proportion of patients with harmful alcohol use, improving patients’ well-being, and the extent to which it facilitates better engagement with and completion of psychiatric treatment.
The project is conducted using a randomized controlled design, in which all outpatient psychiatric teams in Odense are allocated by randomization into five groups, which then implement the 15-Mental model at staggered time points.
Before, during, and after the implementation of 15-Mental, we systematically collect data on patients’ alcohol use and well-being, a range of outcome measures related to psychiatric treatment, as well as staff practices. We also examine both staff and patient experiences with 15-Mental. Finally, we collect data to evaluate the implementation process itself.