Authors: (including presenting author): :
Yip KY (1) , Luk CI (2)
Affiliation: :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Tai Po Hospital
Keyword 1: :
mental health
Keyword 2: :
medical-social collaboration
Keyword 3: :
community reintegration
Keyword 4: :
occupational therapy
Introduction: :
Successful community reintegration is essential for patients with mental illness to reduce reliance on inpatient services while promoting recovery and quality of life. However, limited awareness and exposure to community mental health resources often leads to service reluctance and disengagement. The Seamless Transition and Early-Engagement Project (STEP) was developed through collaboration between the Occupational Therapy Department of Tai Po Hospital and the Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW), to enhance non-ICCMW users' knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of ICCMW services, thereby facilitating a seamless transition from hospital to community-based care.
Objectives: :
This study aims to (1) assess the impact of STEP on participants' knowledge of ICCMW services, (2) evaluate attitudinal changes regarding understanding and acceptance to access ICCMW services, and (3) analyse subsequent service uptake and retention outcomes.
Methodology: :
The Occupational Therapy Department collaborated with four ICCMWs in the New Territories East Cluster. Since November 2023, 13 roadshows have been conducted, with non-ICCMW users as the target population since September 2025. STEP comprised two components: (1) a service introduction roadshow by ICCMW staff, and (2) an experiential workshop facilitated by peer support workers involving recovery story sharing and activity participation. Outcome measures, based on the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Model, included pre-post knowledge quizzes (6-point scale), pre-post surveys on understanding and willingness (10-point scale), and post-intervention satisfaction ratings. Paired samples t-tests evaluated pre-post differences.
Result & Outcome: :
From September to December 2025, 42 participants completed the knowledge assessment and completed the attitudinal surveys. Knowledge scores significantly improved from pre-intervention (M = 3.65, SD = 1.25) to post-roadshow (M = 4.81, SD = 1.28), t(42) = 7.12, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.92. Understanding of ICCMW significantly increased from baseline (M = 3.61, SD = 2.32) to post-roadshow (M = 6.70, SD = 1.61), t(42) = 8.58, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.55. Willingness to participate in ICCMW services significantly improved from baseline (M = 5.12, SD = 2.20) to post-roadshow (M = 6.97, SD = 2.24), t(42) = 5.08, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.83. Overall satisfaction was rated favourably (M = 7.12, SD = 1.90). Following STEP, 42.8% (n = 18) expressed willingness to receive further ICCMW information, and 16.6% (n = 7) were referred to ICCMW services. In 2025, a total of 34 patients were referred with successful admission, with only 2 subsequent service withdrawals (94.1% retention rate). STEP demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in participants' knowledge (31.8%), understanding (85.6%), and willingness to engage with ICCMW services (36.1%). The large effect sizes indicate substantial practical significance. This collaborative model shows promise in facilitating seamless hospital-to-community transitions for patients with mental illness, with high service retention rates supporting its effectiveness.
