The nurse case manager is discussing the pros and cons of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs with a patient who is due to be discharged from the inpatient mental health unit

Question

Which patient statement indicates the patient has understood the information provided?
1. "These programs are expensive and not cost-effective."
2. "These programs will assign me to a single staff member who will work with me to achieve my goals."
3. "These programs offer access to resources such as housing and financial assistance."
4. "These programs increase stress and burnout of individual case managers."

Answer 1

Answer: 3
Explanation: ACT programs become actively and directly involved in many areas of the patient's life and may control access to resources, such as housing and financial assistance in return for adherence to medication and treatment programs through outpatient commitment. ACT programs are expensive, sophisticated programs, making them difficult for some clients to afford; however, they are believed to be cost-effective because they offset still more expensive hospital episodes. Reduction of stress and burnout of individual case managers is achieved through the an interprofessional team approach to the management of cases, which is considered one of the advantages of ACT programs.