Table 2 The six phases of the RG-method
| Phase | Actions |
|---|---|
| Preparation |
Patient and case-manager draft sociogram Patient and case-manager nominate RG members Patient and case-manager draft the RG plan (containing two long-term goals; two short-term goals; crisis plan) |
| Investment |
Case-manager establishes contact with nominated significant others Case-manager interviews nominated significant others, covering at minimum Their expectations of, commitment to and responsibility in the RG Their relationship and previous experiences with the patient and other nominated RG members Their contribution to the RG |
| Planning |
Patient and case-manager set date of first RG meeting Patient and case-manager set up and print agenda Patient decides The location of the RG meeting The chairman The frequency of the RG meetings The channel of communication between the different RG meetings |
| First RG meeting |
All RG members introduce themselves or are introduced by the patient The patient and/or case-manager give a short explanation of the RG method and confidentiality The RG discusses the agenda The RG goals The crisis plan The role of each RG member, concrete actions to achieve the RG goals |
| Follow-up RG meetings |
During the follow-up RG meetings The RG evaluates goals, assignments and progress The RG updates the goals and the RG plan, and decides on new actions to achieve the goals Skills trainings are available for RG members (e.g., problem solving and emotional communication) When wished by the patient or another RG member, the composition of the RG can change if different persons are better suited to achieve the updated goals Once a year psychiatrist attends the RG |
| Reorientation |
Discussion on composition of the RG, depending on the phase of care De-intensification of care: transition to GP/social domain or to only informal RG members Intensification of care (e.g., crisis plan) |