Table 2 The six phases of the RG-method

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)