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. 2020 Dec 14:8:585933.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.585933. eCollection 2020.

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

Leigh-Ann Onnis  1   2 , Irina Kinchin  3   4 , Josephine Pryce  2 , Priscilla Ennals  5 , Joe Petrucci  6 , Komla Tsey  1   7
Affiliations

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

Leigh-Ann Onnis et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

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.

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

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Conflict of interest statement

LO, IK, JPr, and KT declare that they received funding to conduct the research from Neami National. PE and JPe declare that they are employed by Neami National and JPe also declares that they led the implementation of the Connect to Well-being service in North Queensland. We all declare that the financial relationships supported the research; however, they have not influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Connect to Wellbeing's role in referral pathways for stepped care mental health services.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Map of the area covered by Connect and Wellbeing.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The number of referrals for each of the connect to well-being sites (period ending 30 June 2018 to period ending 31 December 2019).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Quality of life changes measured by EQ-5D-5L and ReQoL-10.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Occupational status at the baseline and follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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