Evaluating the Implementation of a Mental Health Referral Service “Connect to Wellbeing”: A Quality Improvement Approach

Frontiers in Public Health

article

Leigh-ann Onnis¹  Irina Kinchin³  Josephine Pryce²  Priscilla Ennals⁵  Joe Petrucci⁵  Komla Tsey¹ 

[1] The Cairns Institute, James Cook University;College of Business, James Cook University;Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, Centre for Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation, University of Technology Sydney;Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin;Neami National;College of Arts, Society & Education, James Cook University

关键词: mental health service;    process evaluation;    referral service;    outcomes evaluation;    quality improvement;    participatory action research (PAR);   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2020.585933

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

There is increasing demand for mental health services to be accessible to diverse populations in flexible, yet, cost-effective ways. This article presents the findings from a study that evaluated the process of implementing Connect to Wellbeing (CTW), a new mental health intake, assessment and referral service in regional Australia, to determine how well it improved access to services, and to identify potential measures that could be used to evaluate value for money. The study used a hybrid study design to conduct a process evaluation to better understand: the process of implementing CTW; and the barriers and factors enabling implementation of CTW. In addition, to better understand how to measure the cost-effectiveness of such services, the hybrid study design included an assessment of potential outcome measures suitable for ascertaining both the effectiveness of CTW in client health outcomes, and conducting a value for money analysis. The process evaluation found evidence that by improving processes, and removing waitlists CTW had created an opportunity to broadened the scope and type of psychological services offered which improved accessibility. The assessment of potential outcome measures provided insight into suitable measures for future evaluation into service effectiveness, client health outcomes and value for money.

【 授权许可】

CC BY