Client and staff members perceptions of assertive community treatment the nominal groups technique

Assertive community treatment (ACT) has become widely used with persons with psychiatric disability. There is general agreement among experts concerning the most important ingredients of ACT, but few efforts have considered the views of clients and staff members regarding ACT services. Using the nominal groups technique, (NGT) we solicited opinions from clients and staff members concerning the most important and least liked aspects of ACT. Findings support the utility of the NGT with ACT clients. Both groups perceived personal and practical aspects of ACT to be important. Clients reported lack of privacy to be the least liked aspect of ACT.