ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Stepped care models are frameworks for mental health care systems in several countries. According to Norwegian guidelines, individuals with mental health problems of mild severity should be treated in community mental health services, moderate severity in specialist mental health services, while complex/severe problems are often a shared responsibility. This study investigated whether patients are allocated as intended. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 4061 outpatients recruited from community- and specialist mental health services reported demographic variables, symptoms of anxiety/depression, functional impairment, health status, and sick leave status. The community sample consisted of two subsamples: mild/moderate problems and complex problems. RESULTS: There was substantial overlap (80%-99%) of symptoms, impairment, and health between community- and specialist mental health services. More impairment, worse health, lower age, and being male were associated with treatment at specialist level compared to community mild/moderate. Better health, being in a relationship, and lower age were associated with specialized treatment compared to community complex group. CONCLUSION: The limited association between treatment level and symptoms and functional impairment reveals inconsistencies between treatment guidelines and clinical practice. How the existing organization affects patient outcomes and satisfaction should be investigated further.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Evidence from the context of local health ecosystems is highly relevant for research and policymaking to understand geographical variations in outcomes of health care delivery. In mental health systems, the analysis of context presents particular challenges related to their complexity and to methodological difficulties. Method guidelines and standard recommendations for conducting context analysis of local mental health care are urgently needed. This scoping study reviews current methods of context analysis in mental health systems to establish the parameters of research activity examining availability and capacity of care at the local level, and to identify any gaps in the literature. METHODS: A scoping review based on a systematic search of key databases was conducted for the period 2005-2016. A systems dynamics/complexity approach was adopted, using a modified version of Tansella and Thornicroft's matrix model of mental health care as the conceptual framework for our analysis. RESULTS: The lack of a specific terminology in the area meant that from 10,911 titles identified at the initial search, only 46 papers met inclusion criteria. Of these, 21 had serious methodological limitations. Fifteen papers did not use any kind of formal framework, and five of those did not describe their method. Units of analysis varied widely and across different levels of the system. Six instruments to describe service availability and capacity were identified, of which three had been psychometrically validated. A limitation was the exclusion of grey literature from the review. However, the imprecise nature of the terminology, and high number of initial results, makes the inclusion of grey literature not feasible. CONCLUSION: We identified that, in spite of its relevance, context studies in mental health services is a very limited research area. Few validated instruments are available. Methodological limitations in many papers mean that the particular challenges of mental health systems research such as system complexity, data availability and terminological variability are generally poorly addressed, presenting a barrier to valid system comparison. The modified Thornicroft and Tansella matrix and related ecological production of care model provide the main model for research within the area of health care ecosystems.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care , Health Services Research , Mental Health Services , Mental Health , Health Services Research/methods , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In an effort to promote greater access to voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, it has become practice in many countries, including South Africa, to establish non-medical testing sites and to de-couple HIV testing from other medical and mental health care services. While it is well established that HIV infection is associated with a range of psychopathology, much of the literature has assumed that it is receipt of an HIV positive diagnosis that causes people to become depressed, traumatized, or develop other psychiatric symptoms. Empirical data about the baseline psychiatric condition and mental health care needs of persons seeking HIV testing is scarce. Understanding the psychological health of persons seeking HIV testing and documenting how psychiatric symptoms develop over time following receipt of an HIV positive diagnosis, has important implications for mental health care systems. METHODS: We describe a study protocol to investigate: (1) the level of psychological distress and the prevalence of common mental disorders among persons seeking HIV testing; (2) the longitudinal development of psychiatric symptoms among persons diagnosed with HIV; and (3) the recommendations that can be made for mental health care systems to support persons seeking HIV testing and those newly diagnosed with HIV. In this longitudinal study quantitative and qualitative data are collected to document participants' psychiatric symptoms, to determine whether they meet diagnostic criteria for a common mental disorder, and to explore the lived experiences of persons receiving an HIV positive test result. Data are collected at three time points; before HIV testing, and then again at 6 and 12 months post-testing. DISCUSSION: Documenting the prevalence of common mental disorders among persons seeking HIV testing, and tracking the psychosocial support needs, psychological adjustment and psychosocial experiences of persons newly diagnosed with HIV, has important implications for the delivery of mental health care services and the design of integrated mental health care systems.
ABSTRACT
Se describe la estructura y funcionamiento de una red pública de atención a la salud mental que cubre una población de 450.000 habitantes de la zona metropolitana este de Madrid. Se trata de una red que funciona como parte de un sistema público, universal y gratuito en el momento del pago, aunque tiene varios financiadores y parte de los proveedores son instituciones de titularidad privada que se financian mediante un concierto con la administración pública. Integra 26 dispositivos en los que trabajan 229 profesionales asignados a equipos interprofesionales. Además de las funciones asistenciales, la red desarrolla labores de docencia e investigación.(AU)
We describe the structure and functioning of a public mental health care network that covers a population of 450.000 inhabitants in the metropolitan east area of Madrid. It is a network that operates as part of a public, universal and without payment at the time of being attended National Health Service, although it is granted from several different public founders and some of the providers are private institutions employed by the public system. It includes 229 mental health professionals work in 26 integrated inter-professional teams. In addition to the functions of care, the network develops teaching and research work.(AU)
Subject(s)
Mental Health Services , Community Mental Health Services , Rehabilitation Centers , SpainABSTRACT
Se describe la estructura y funcionamiento de una red pública de atención a la salud mental que cubre una población de 450.000 habitantes de la zona metropolitana este de Madrid. Se trata de una red que funciona como parte de un sistema público, universal y gratuito en el momento del pago, aunque tiene varios financiadores y parte de los proveedores son instituciones de titularidad privada que se financian mediante un concierto con la administración pública. Integra 26 dispositivos en los que trabajan 229 profesionales asignados a equipos interprofesionales. Además de las funciones asistenciales, la red desarrolla labores de docencia e investigación.
We describe the structure and functioning of a public mental health care network that covers a population of 450.000 inhabitants in the metropolitan east area of Madrid. It is a network that operates as part of a public, universal and without payment at the time of being attended National Health Service, although it is granted from several different public founders and some of the providers are private institutions employed by the public system. It includes 229 mental health professionals work in 26 integrated inter-professional teams. In addition to the functions of care, the network develops teaching and research work.