The Application of a Patient-Centered Care Framework in Mental Health Diversion: A Qualitative Study

Mental health diversion pairs mental health treatment with court oversight as an alternative to incarceration. We conducted a qualitative exploration of the applicability of a patient-centered care framework-typically applied in healthcare contexts to center the experience of a patient in their own care-to mental health diversion. This study examines (1) if the principles of patient-centered care are experienced by mental health diversion clients and (2) how these principles apply to hybrid healthcare-legal system intervention like mental health diversion. We interviewed 15 diversion clients from 6 counties in California. Findings suggested that patient-centered care is relevant to diversion clients, including client access to care, relationships with trusted professionals, and respect for preferences. However, the patient-centered care framework requires adaptation for the mental health diversion context, in which both therapeutic professionals and legal professionals play key roles.