Effect of Early Assessment Team for Patients Referred to Outpatient Mental Health Care

Early assessment team (EAT):The patients receive their first assessment by an early clarification team within a few weeks after the team receiving the referral. The team then decides whether further assessment and/or treatment should be given in the general outpatient clinic, and/or whether any other follow-up may be appropriate. In the first meeting the patient preferably meets two therapists, who conduct a semi-structured interview with focus on health and level of functioning. If considered appropriate, the team may offer a short-term intervention.

Ordinary procedures for admission to an outpatient clinic are followed in accordance with the Norwegian Directorate of Health's national prioritization guide. Referrals are assessed on the basis of severity and placed on a regular waiting list (usually a waiting period of 1-3 months). The patients receive their first personal assessment from a therapist in a general outpatient clinic who takes a position on what is to be initiated and, if necessary, offers further assessment / treatment in accordance with procedures in the outpatient clinics. This is not standardized beyond current practice.