This file is to be used only for a purpose specified by Palgrave Macmillan, such as checking proofs, preparing an index, reviewing, endorsing or planning coursework/other institutional needs. You may store and print the file and share it with others helping you with the specified purpose, but under no circumstances may the file be distributed or otherwise made accessible to any other third parties without the express prior permission of Palgrave Macmillan. Please contact rights@palgrave.com if you have any queries regarding use of the file. November 13, 2015 11:51 MAC/REALLY Page-371 9781137496843_21_cha19 PROOF 19 Team Work in Action: Building Grounds for Psychiatric Medication Decisions in Assertive Community Treatment Beth Angell and Galina B. Bolden Introduction Interdisciplinary teams are a common organisational form in community mental health treatment (see also Pino, Chapter 34, this volume), particularly for adults with serious and persistent mental illness. Assertive community treat- ment (ACT) is the most widely known team model (Simmonds, Coid, Joseph, Marriott, & Tyrer, 2001). The ACT model was originally designed to mimic the multidisciplinary functions of an inpatient unit in a community-based setting, with the aim of preventing long-term institutionalisation (Stein & Test, 1980). ACT teams offer round-the-clock comprehensive case management and psychi- atric medication support and tend to be reserved for individuals with extensive histories of hospitalisation and treatment non-adherence. Other, less inten- sive models of case management using a multidisciplinary team approach have also been developed and are widely used in the United States and the United Kingdom. Team-based models hold a variety of advantages over models that use indi- vidual case managers. ACT teams, for example, offer wrap-around support that is thought to provide vulnerable clients with a sense of belonging and ensures that their multiple needs are addressed (Chinman, Allende, Bailey, Maust, & Davidson, 1999; Pescosolido, Wright, & Sullivan, 1995). Because staff turnover is common, organising a client’s care via a team also ensures continuity of care following staff departure. The interdisciplinary nature of teams permits each profession to contribute specialised expertise while also ensuring that generalist functions can be covered flexibly by team members. Finally, team organisation is preferred for supporting staff and avoiding professional burnout in working 371 Angell, B., & Bolden, G. B. (in press). Team work in action: Building grounds for psychiatric medication decisions in assertive community treatment. In M. O'Reilly & J. Lester (Eds.), Handbook of adult mental health: Discourse and conversation studies (pp. 371-393). London: Palgrave Macmillan.