Assessing the acceptability of weekly phone outreach and its impact on social connection and symptom monitoring among individuals with serious mental illness

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact and acceptability of brief, weekly outreach phone calls that utilized self-report scales surrounding symptoms, social connection, and health behaviors among Veterans with serious mental illness.

Methods

Weekly phone calls from research staff were used to collect participants’ self-report scores in various mental and physical health domains to monitor changes in these areas. In addition, qualitative interviews were conducted with participants to assess the acceptability of weekly outreach calls, perceptions on call duration and frequency, and impacts of calls on participants’ sense of social connection and ability to monitor symptoms.

Results

Qualitative results showed that participants were accepting of weekly outreach calls and found them feasible to incorporate into their schedules. Participants reported that calls provided them with a greater sense of social connection, offered support in between visits with providers, encouraged personal reflection of symptom and behavior changes, and were motivational for behavior change. Quantitative results showed that the sample experienced reduced levels of social connection.

Conclusions and implications for practice

Individuals with serious mental illness in this sample believe it is feasible and acceptable to receive weekly outreach phone calls that collect self-report scores of mental and physical health behaviors and noted these calls can offer a sense of social support and create greater awareness of symptoms. This form of outreach may be valuable in healthcare settings to better monitor fluctuations in patient symptoms and act as a bridge to care for this population.