Observational Study with Historic Control Cohort of the Implementation of a Tool for Reduction of Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Severe Mental Disorders

1. AIMS

This study aims at answering whether a Norwegian adaptation of a tool for monitoring, detection and intervention of cardiovascular risk factors (hereafter: the CMR-tool) may be effectively implemented and thus improve the care for this patient group, and ultimately reduce cardiovascular risk. Specific research questions:

1. Is there any improvement in received services between units implementing the CMR-tool after one year compared to other non-implementation units and the same unit before implementation? (Health care assessment)

2. Is there any improvement in patients' cardiovascular risk factors between units implementing the CMR-tool after one year compared to other non-implementation units and the same unit before implementation? (Patient related factors)

3. MATERIAL AND METHODS 2.1 Sample and setting Mental Health Specialized Units: Out and inpatient departments providing services for patients with psychotic or psychosis-related conditions in the specialized health care service in Norway. Several university hospitals will cooperate. The implementation of the Tool will be a part of the hospitals' quality improvement work. The CMR-tool will be implemented sequentially in the different hospitals according to the capacity of the hospital organizations.

Community Care: The current project will include patients receiving treatment in the specialized health care system. However, many/all participants will be followed on somatic issues by the family doctors after discharge from hospital treatment/the specialized health care system.