Background Although there is consensus on the importance of involving informal caregivers of people with severe mental illness, interventions are needed to support this.
Aim To explore whether the use of the ‘Triangle of Care Card’, an instrument developed to help strengthen the role of care-givers in their contact with workers, increases quality of cooperation and care.
Method Three outpatient mental health teams and twelve teams for supported housing started working with the card. Information from files and questionnaires were used to monitor change and compare this with the changes during the same year in ten other teams.
Results Use of the Triangle of Care Card was sparse. When it was used, a broader range of subjects were discussed, including the needs of caregivers. Also, clients were more involved. In teams where the card was introduced, the clients’ networks became more apparent and there was an increase in face-to-face meetings with members of this network.
Conclusion Introduction of the Triangle of Care Card leads to change in the involvement of caregivers. However, implementation is problematic and therefore the increase in quality of the cooperation with caregivers and quality of care is yet small.