The economic consequences of deinstitutionalisation of mental health services: lessons from a systematic review of European experience

Temporal trends in inpatient care use for adult mental disorders in Czechia: a nationwide register-based study from 1994 to 2015

PURPOSE

To describe temporal trends in inpatient care use for adult mental disorders in Czechia from 1994 until 2015.

METHODS

Data from the nationwide register of inpatient care use and yearly census data were used to calculate (a) yearly admissions rates, (b) median length of stay, and (c) standardized inpatient-years for adult mental disorders (ICD-10 codes F0-F6] or G30). Segmented regressions were used to analyze age- and sex-specific temporal trends.

RESULTS

Admission rates were increasing in adults (average annual percent change = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.16 to 0.86 for females and 1.01; 0.63 to 1.40 for males) and adolescents and emerging adults (3.27; 2.57 to 3.97 for females and 2.98; 2.08 to 3.88 for males), whereas in seniors, the trend was stable (1.22; -0.31 to 2.73 for females and 1.35; -0.30 to 2.98 for males). The median length of stay for studied mental disorders decreased across all age and sex strata except for a stable trend in male adolescents and emerging adults (-0.96; -2.02 to 0.10). Standardized inpatient-years were decreasing in adults of both sexes (-0.85; -1.42 to -0.28 for females and -0.87; -1.19 to -0.56 for males), increasing in female adolescents and emerging adults (0.95; 0.42 to 1.47), and stable in the remaining strata.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatric hospital admissions were increasing or stable coupled with considerable reductions in median length of stay, suggesting that inpatient episodes for adult mental disorders have become more frequent and shorter over time. The overall psychiatric inpatient care use was decreasing or stable in adults and seniors, potentially implying a gradual shift away from hospital-based care.

The Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of an Integrated Mental Health Care Programme in Germany

The network for mental health (NWpG = Netzwerk psychische Gesundheit) is an umbrella association for non-medical community mental health care facilities across Germany which are enabled to provide multi-professional mental health care packages including medical and psychosocial services reimbursed by German statutory health insurances since 2009. The aim of this study is to analyse the cost-effectiveness of providing NWpG mental health care packages plus treatment as usual (NWpG) to treatment as usual alone (TAU) in Germany. In a prospective, multicenter, controlled trial over 18 months, a total of 511 patients (NWpG = 251; TAU = 260) were observed in five regions, four times at six-month intervals. The EQ-5D-3L and the Client Sociodemographic and Service Receipt Inventory (CSSRI) were used to estimate quality-adjusted life-years and total costs of illness. Propensity score-adjusted cost–utility analysis was applied using the net benefit approach. No significant differences in costs and QALYs between NWpG and TAU groups were identified. The probability of NWpG being cost-effective compared to TAU was estimated below 75% for maximum willingness to pay (MWTP) values between 0 and 125,000 EUR. The additional provision of the NWpG package is not cost-effective compared to TAU alone.

Trends in inpatient care for psychiatric disorders in NHS hospitals across England, 1998/99-2019/20: an observational time series analysis

PURPOSE

It is unclear how hospitals are responding to the mental health needs of the population in England, against a backdrop of diminishing resources. We aimed to document patterns in hospital activity by psychiatric disorder and how these have changed over the last 22 years.

METHODS

In this observational time series analysis, we used routinely collected data on all NHS hospitals in England from 1998/99 to 2019/20. Trends in hospital admissions and bed days for psychiatric disorders were smoothed using negative binomial regression models with year as the exposure and rates (per 1000 person-years) as the outcome. When linear trends were not appropriate, we fitted segmented negative binomial regression models with one change-point. We stratified by gender and age group [children (0-14 years); adults (15 years +)].

RESULTS

Hospital admission rates and bed days for all psychiatric disorders decreased by 28.4 and 38.3%, respectively. Trends were not uniform across psychiatric disorders or age groups. Admission rates mainly decreased over time, except for anxiety and eating disorders which doubled over the 22-year period, significantly increasing by 2.9% (AAPC = 2.88; 95% CI: 2.61-3.16; p < 0.001) and 3.4% (AAPC = 3.44; 95% CI: 3.04-3.85; p < 0.001) each year. Inpatient hospital activity among children showed more increasing and pronounced trends than adults, including an increase of 212.9% for depression, despite a 63.8% reduction for adults with depression during the same period.

CONCLUSION

In the last 22 years, there have been overall reductions in hospital activity for psychiatric disorders. However, some disorders showed pronounced increases, pointing to areas of growing need for inpatient psychiatric care, especially among children.

Serious physical assault and subsequent risk for rehospitalization in individuals with severe mental illness: a nationwide, register-based retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Victimization is associated with worse social and clinical outcomes of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). A relapse of SMI may be one of the clinical consequences of assaultive trauma. As far as we know, there is no published study that analyzes nationwide health registers to assess the risk of SMI rehospitalization following assault.

AIM

We aimed to assess whether exposure to assault is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric hospitalization in those with SMI.

METHODS

We utilized data from the Czech nationwide registers of all-cause hospitalizations and all-cause deaths. We defined exposed individuals as those discharged from a hospitalization for SMI between 2002 and 2007, and hospitalized for serious injuries sustained in an assault in the subsequent 7 years. For each assaulted individual, we randomly selected five counterparts, matched on SMI diagnosis, age and sex, who were not assaulted in the examined time period. We used mixed effect logistic regression to assess the effect of assault on the risk of SMI rehospitalization within the following 6 months. We fitted unadjusted models and models adjusted for the number of previous SMI hospitalizations and drug use disorders.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 248 exposed and 1 240 unexposed individuals. In the unadjusted model, assaulted individuals were almost four times more likely to be rehospitalized than their non-assaulted counterparts (odds ratio (OR) = 3.96; 95% CI 2.75; 5.71). After adjusting for all covariates, the OR remained threefold higher (OR = 3.07; 95% CI 2.10; 4.49).

CONCLUSION

People with a history of SMI hospitalization were approximately three times more likely to be rehospitalized for SMI within 6 months after an assault than their non-assaulted SMI counterparts. Soon after a person with SMI is physically assaulted, there should be a psychiatric evaluation and a close follow-up.

EPA guidance on the quality of mental health services: A systematic meta-review and update of recommendations focusing on care coordination

BACKGROUND

The quality of mental health services is crucial for the effectiveness and efficiency of mental healthcare systems, symptom reduction, and quality of life improvements in persons with mental illness. In recent years, particularly care coordination (i.e., the integration of care across different providers and treatment settings) has received increased attention and has been put into practice. Thus, we focused on care coordination in this update of a previous European Psychiatric Association (EPA) guidance on the quality of mental health services.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic meta-review of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and evidence-based clinical guidelines focusing on care coordination for persons with mental illness in three literature databases.

RESULTS

We identified 23 relevant documents covering the following topics: case management, integrated care, home treatment, crisis intervention services, transition from inpatient to outpatient care and vice versa, integrating general and mental healthcare, technology in care coordination and self-management, quality indicators, and economic evaluation. Based on the available evidence, we developed 15 recommendations for care coordination in European mental healthcare.

CONCLUSIONS

Although evidence is limited, some concepts of care coordination seem to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mental health services and outcomes on patient level. Further evidence is needed to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of different care coordination models.

Independent Housing and Support for non-homeless individuals with severe mental illness: randomised controlled trial vs. observational study - study protocol

BACKGROUND

Social inclusion is essential for an adequate rehabilitation process for people with serious mental illness (SMI). Various supported housing settings aim to promote housing competencies and social inclusion in service users. Nevertheless, there is a strong preference in service users for independent living. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of Independent Housing and Support (IHS) compared to institutionalised residential care settings and other treatment as usual conditions (RCS/TAU) in two cities in Switzerland.

METHODS

This is a prospective multi-centre, four-arm, non-inferiority cohort study investigating the effectiveness and efficiency of IHS and RCS/TAU for people with SMI. Effectiveness will be measured by a standardised measure of social inclusion as primary outcome as well as by measures of functioning and well-being. Efficiency will be analysed on the basis of service usage and costs associated with the different housing settings. Participants will be consecutively recruited and subsequently enrolled between April 2019 and December 2020 and assessed at baseline and after six, twelve and after 24 months. At one study site, 56 participants will be randomly assigned to one of the conditions; the other study site will be conducted as an observational study investigating 112 admitted participants.

DISCUSSION

While the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities aims to promote the opportunity to choose one's place of residence, the limited supply of alternative forms of housing does not guarantee genuine freedom of choice. Increased diversification and flexibility of housing support is essential. If IHS shows non-inferiority in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency, users should be allowed to choose their kind of housing support.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03815604, December 04, 2019.

Current situation and progress toward the 2030 health-related Sustainable Development Goals in China: A systematic analysis

BACKGROUND

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all United Nations (UN) member states in 2015, established a set of bold and ambitious health-related targets to achieve by 2030. Understanding China's progress toward these targets is critical to improving population health for its 1.4 billion people.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We used estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2016, national surveys and surveillance data from China, and qualitative data. Twenty-eight of the 37 indicators included in the GBD Study 2016 were analyzed. We developed an attainment index of health-related SDGs, a scale of 0-100 based on the values of indicators. The projection model is adjusted based on the one developed by the GBD Study 2016 SDG collaborators. We found that China has achieved several health-related SDG targets, including decreasing neonatal and under-5 mortality rates and the maternal mortality ratios and reducing wasting and stunting for children. However, China may only achieve 12 out of the 28 health-related SDG targets by 2030. The number of target indicators achieved varies among provinces and municipalities. In 2016, among the seven measured health domains, China performed best in child nutrition and maternal and child health and reproductive health, with the attainment index scores of 93.0 and 91.8, respectively, followed by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) (69.4), road injuries (63.6), infectious diseases (63.0), environmental health (62.9), and universal health coverage (UHC) (54.4). There are daunting challenges to achieve the targets for child overweight, infectious diseases, NCD risk factors, and environmental exposure factors. China will also have a formidable challenge in achieving UHC, particularly in ensuring access to essential healthcare for all and providing adequate financial protection. The attainment index of child nutrition is projected to drop to 80.5 by 2025 because of worsening child overweight. The index of NCD risk factors is projected to drop to 38.8 by 2025. Regional disparities are substantial, with eastern provinces generally performing better than central and western provinces. Sex disparities are clear, with men at higher risk of excess mortality than women. The primary limitations of this study are the limited data availability and quality for several indicators and the adoption of "business-as-usual" projection methods.

CONCLUSION

The study found that China has made good progress in improving population health, but challenges lie ahead. China has substantially improved the health of children and women and will continue to make good progress, although geographic disparities remain a great challenge. Meanwhile, China faced challenges in NCDs, mental health, and some infectious diseases. Poor control of health risk factors and worsening environmental threats have posed difficulties in further health improvement. Meanwhile, an inefficient health system is a barrier to tackling these challenges among such a rapidly aging population. The eastern provinces are predicted to perform better than the central and western provinces, and women are predicted to be more likely than men to achieve these targets by 2030. In order to make good progress, China must take a series of concerted actions, including more investments in public goods and services for health and redressing the intracountry inequities.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of dialectical behaviour therapy for treating individuals with borderline personality disorder in the community

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This paper investigates the cost-effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for treating individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in a community setting in Ireland, in the short term.

METHODS

Resource utilisation and effectiveness data were collected as part of the National DBT Project, Ireland, and are incorporated into a cost-effectiveness analysis. The perspective taken was that of the service provider and payer. Direct health resources were included and effectiveness was measured using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. To examine cost-effectiveness, incremental costs are compared with incremental quality-adjusted life years, to estimate an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was employed to investigate parameter uncertainty. Scenario analyses are employed to investigate cost-effectiveness of DBT with varying assumptions around effectiveness and costs.

RESULTS

The baseline analysis reveals that DBT is more expensive and more effective than routine clinical care (without DBT). The low incremental cost-effectiveness ratio suggests DBT can be considered cost effective in the short term. In each scenario analyses considered, the probability that DBT is cost effective is greater than 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health care provision, including that of DBT, varies across jurisdictions, necessitating economic evaluations of current practice in community-based services, on a country-by-country basis, to inform resource allocation decisions. In line with previous research, the analysis here indicates DBT can be considered cost effective in the short term. Future data collection on alternative comparators and long-term outcomes associated with DBT is warranted to investigate the longer term cost-effectiveness of DBT.

Associations between readmission and patient-reported measures in acute psychiatric inpatients: a study protocol for a multicenter prospective longitudinal study (the ePOP-J study)

Background

Several previous observational studies have reported the risk factors associated with readmission in people with mental illness. While patient-reported experiences and outcomes have become increasingly important in healthcare, only a few studies have examined these parameters in terms of their direct association with readmission in an acute psychiatric setting. This project will investigate multiple factors associated with readmission and community living in acute psychiatric patients in Japan. This study will primarily investigate whether patient-reported experiences at discharge, particularly quality of life (QoL), are associated with future readmission and whether readmission after the index hospitalization is associated with changes in patient-reported outcomes during the study period. Here, we describe the rationale and methods of this study.

Methods

This multicenter prospective cohort study is being conducted in 21 participating Japanese hospitals, with a target sample of approximately 600 participants admitted to the acute psychiatric ward. The study has four planned assessment points: time of index admission (T1), time of discharge (from the index admission) (T2), 6 months after discharge from the index admission (T3), and 12 months after discharge from the index admission (T4). Participants will complete self-reported measures including a QoL scale, a subjective disability scale, and an empowerment- and self-agency-related scale at each assessment point; additionally, service satisfaction, subjective view of need for services, and subjective relationships with family members will be assessed at T2 and T3. We will assess the participants’ hospitalization during the study period and evaluate several potential individual- and service-level factors associated with readmission and patient-reported experiences and outcomes. Multivariate analyses will be conducted to identify potential associations between readmission and patient-reported experiences and outcomes.

Discussion

The present study may produce evidence on how patient-reported experiences at discharge influence readmission and on the influence of readmission on the course of patient-reported outcomes from admission to community living after discharge. The study may contribute to improving care for both patients’ subjective views of their own health conditions and their community lives in an acute psychiatric setting.

Trial registration University Hospital Medical Information Network—Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000034220. Registered on September 20, 2018.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13033-019-0298-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The balance of adult mental health care: provision of core health versus other types of care in eight European countries

AIMS

Although many mental health care systems provide care interventions that are not related to direct health care, little is known about the interfaces between the latter and core health care. 'Core health care' refers to services whose explicit aim is direct clinical treatment which is usually provided by health professionals, i.e., physicians, nurses, psychologists. 'Other care' is typically provided by other staff and includes accommodation, training, promotion of independence, employment support and social skills. In such a definition, 'other care' does not necessarily mean being funded or governed differently. The aims of the study were: (1) using a standard classification system (Description and Evaluation of Services and Directories in Europe for Long Term Care, DESDE-LTC) to identify 'core health' and 'other care' services provided to adults with mental health problems; and (2) to investigate the balance of care by analysing the types and characteristics of core health and other care services.

METHODS

The study was conducted in eight selected local areas in eight European countries with different mental health systems. All publicly funded mental health services, regardless of the funding agency, for people over 18 years old were identified and coded. The availability, capacity and the workforce of the local mental health services were described using their functional main activity or 'Main Types of Care' (MTC) as the standard for international comparison, following the DESDE-LTC system.

RESULTS

In these European study areas, 822 MTCs were identified as providing core health care and 448 provided other types of care. Even though one-third of mental health services in the selected study areas provided interventions that were coded as 'other care', significant variation was found in the typology and characteristics of these services across the eight study areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The functional distinction between core health and other care overcomes the traditional division between 'health' and 'social' sectors based on governance and funding. The overall balance between core health and other care services varied significantly across the European sites. Mental health systems cannot be understood or planned without taking into account the availability and capacity of all services specifically available for this target population, including those outside the health sector.

The CZEch Mental health Study (CZEMS): Study rationale, design, and methods

OBJECTIVES

The CZEch Mental health Study (CZEMS) was launched to inform the ongoing mental health care reform. This paper describes rationale, methods, and the plan for the future analyses of this project.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey on a representative sample of the general adult noninstitutionalized population of the Czech Republic was conducted. Two-stage sampling was utilized and respondents were interviewed by centrally trained staff using a paper and pencil interviewing. The presence of mental disorders was assessed by The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The study also collected information about disability, self-identification of having a mental illness, medical history, and help-seeking behaviour.

RESULTS

This survey had a 75% response rate, and the final sample consisted of 3,306 persons aged from 18 to 96 years (mean age 49 years old, 54% women) that were interviewed in their homes. The final sample is representative for the Czech Republic in terms of age, gender, education, and region.

CONCLUSIONS

CZEMS will provide up-to-date evidence about a prevalence of mental disorders in the Czech Republic, associated disability, and treatment gap. This will help informed decision-making about the current mental health care reform and future mental health care development in the Czech Republic.

Identifying Local and Centralized Mental Health Services-The Development of a New Categorizing Variable

The challenges of mental health and substance abuse services (MHS) require shifting of the balance of resources from institutional care to community care. In order to track progress, an instrument that can describe these attributes of MHS is needed. We created a coding variable in the European Service Mapping Schedule-Revised (ESMS-R) mapping tool using a modified Delphi panel that classified MHS into centralized, local services with gatekeeping and local services without gatekeeping. For feasibility and validity, we tested the variable on a dataset comprising MHS in Southern Finland, covering a population of 2.3 million people. There were differences in the characteristics of services between our study regions. In our data, 41% were classified as centralized, 37% as local without gatekeeping and 22% as local services with gatekeeping. The proportion of resources allocated to local services varied from 20% to 43%. Reclassifying ESMS-R is an easy way to compare the important local vs. centralized balance of MHS systems globally, where such data exists. Further international studies comparing systems and validating this approach are needed.

Does one size really fit all? The effectiveness of a non-diagnosis-specific integrated mental health care program in Germany in a prospective, parallel-group controlled multi-centre trial

BACKGROUND

The Network for Mental Health (NWpG-IC) is an integrated mental health care program implemented in 2009 by cooperation between health insurance companies and community mental health providers in Germany. Meanwhile about 10,000 patients have been enrolled. This is the first study evaluating the effectiveness of the program in comparison to standard mental health care in Germany.

METHODS

In a parallel-group controlled trial over 18 months conducted in five regions across Germany, a total of 260 patients enrolled in NWpG-IC and 251 patients in standard mental health care (TAU) were recruited between August 2013 and November 2014. The NWpG-IC patients had access to special services such as community-based multi-professional teams, case management, crisis intervention and family-oriented psychoeducation in addition to standard mental health care. The primary outcome empowerment (EPAS) and the secondary outcomes quality of life (WHO-QoL-BREF), satisfaction with psychiatric treatment (CSQ-8), psychosocial and clinical impairment (HoNOS) and information about mental health service needs (CAN) were measured four times at 6-month intervals. Linear mixed-effect regression models were used to estimate the main effects and interaction effects of treatment, time and primary diagnosis. Due to the non-randomised group assignment, propensity score adjustment was used to control the selection bias.

RESULTS

NWpG-IC and TAU groups did not differ with respect to most primary and secondary outcomes in our participating patients who showed a broad spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses and illness severities. However, a significant improvement in terms of patients' satisfaction with psychiatric care and their perception of treatment participation in favour of the NWpG-IC group was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing integrated mental health care for unspecific mentally ill target groups increases treatment participation and service satisfaction but seems not suitable to enhance the overall outcomes of mental health care in Germany. The implementation of strategies for ameliorating the needs orientation of the NWpG-IC should be considered.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00005111 , registered 26 July 2013.

Insights from the clinical assurance of service reconfiguration in the NHS: the drivers of reconfiguration and the evidence that underpins it – a mixed-methods study

Background

Over the life of the NHS, hospital services have been subject to continued reconfiguration. Yet it is rare for the reconfiguration of clinical services to be evaluated, leaving a deficit in the evidence to guide local reconfiguration of services.

Objectives

The objectives of this research are to determine the current pressures for reconfiguration within the NHS in England and the solutions proposed. We also investigate the quality of evidence used in making the case for change, any key evidence gaps, and the opportunities to strengthen the clinical case for change and how it is made.

Methods

We have drawn on two key sources of evidence. First, we reviewed the reports produced by the National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT) documenting its reviews of reconfiguration proposals. An in-depth multilevel qualitative analysis was conducted of 123 NCAT reviews published between 2007 and 2012. Second, we carried out a search and synthesis of the literature to identify the key evidence available to support reconfiguration decisions. The findings from this literature search were integrated with the analysis of the reviews to develop a narrative for each specialty and the process of reconfiguration as a whole.

Results

The evidence from the NCAT reviews shows significant pressure to reconfigure services within the NHS in England. We found that the majority of reconfiguration proposals are driving an increasing concentration of hospital services, with some accompanying decentralisation and, for some specialist services, the development of supporting clinical networks. The primary drivers of reconfiguration have been workforce (in particular the medical workforce) and finance. Improving outcomes and safety issues have been subsidiary drivers, though many make the link between staffing and clinical safety. Policy has also been a notable driver. Access has been notable by its absence as a driver. Despite significant pressures to reconfigure services, many proposals fail to be implemented owing to public and/or clinical opposition. We found strong evidence that some specialist service reconfiguration including vascular surgery and major trauma can significantly improve clinical outcomes. However, there are notable evidence gaps. The most significant is the absence of evidence that service reconfiguration can deliver significant savings. There is also an absence of evidence about safe staffing models and the interplay between staff numbers, skill mix and outcomes. We found that the advice provided by the NCAT reflects the current evidence, but one of the NCAT’s most valuable contributions has been to encourage greater clinical engagement in service change.

Conclusions

The NHS is continuing to concentrate many district general hospital services to resolve financial and workforce pressures. However, many proposals are not implemented owing to public opposition. We also found no evidence to suggest that this will deliver the savings anticipated. There is a significant gap in the evidence about safe staffing models and the appropriate balance of junior and senior medical as well as other clinical staff. There is an urgent need to carry out research that will help to fill the current evidence gap. There is also a need to retain some national clinical expertise to work alongside Clinical Senates in supporting local service reconfiguration.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Institutionalization of deinstitutionalization: a cross-national analysis of mental health system reform

Background

Policies generate accountability in that they offer a standard against which government performance can be assessed. A central question of this study is whether ideological imprint left by policy is realized in the time following its adoption. National mental health policy expressly promotes the notion of deinstitutionalization, which mandates that individuals be cared for in the community rather than in institutional environments.

Methods

We investigate whether mental health policy adoption induced a transformation in the structure of mental health systems, namely psychiatric beds, using panel data on 193 countries between 2001 and 2011.

Results

Our striking regression results demonstrate that late-adopters of mental health policy are more likely to reduce psychiatric beds in mental hospitals and other biomedical settings than innovators, whereas they are less likely than non-adopters to reduce psychiatric beds in general hospitals.

Conclusions

It can be inferred late adopters are motivated to implement deinstitutionalization for technical efficiency rather than social legitimacy reasons.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1752-4458-8-47) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effectiveness and efficiency of integrated mental health care programmes in Germany: study protocol of an observational controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Since 2009 some German health insurance companies have implemented integrated mental health care services along the principles of assertive community treatment in collaboration with local mental health service providers across Germany. Focus of this study is the analysis of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this integrated care programme compared to care as usual in routine care surroundings in five regions in Germany.

METHODS

In this 18-month multi-centre observational trial 250 patients enrolled in an integrated mental health care programme and 250 patients who receive treatment as usual from five catchment areas will be included. In addition, in each group about 125 relatives of the participating patients will be included. The primary outcome criterion is the improvement of empowerment; secondary outcomes are subjective quality of life, functional impairment and costs of illness. Data will be collected at baseline and three follow-ups after 6, 12 and 18 months. Data will be analysed by means of mixed effects regression models. Propensity score methods are used for selection bias control.

DISCUSSION

Study results are expected to provide information about how integrated care programmes in their present form contribute to the improvement of mental health care. In addition, the study will provide hints to weaknesses of the current integrated care programme and options to overcome them. The major strengths of this study are the real-world character of the study intervention with a simultaneous high level of academic rigour. However, the fact that patients are not randomised to study groups and that there is no blinding might limit the study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00005111.

Actions to alleviate the mental health impact of the economic crisis

The current global economic crisis is expected to produce adverse mental health effects that may increase suicide and alcohol-related death rates in affected countries. In nations with greater social safety nets, the health impacts of the economic downturn may be less pronounced. Research indicates that the mental health impact of the economic crisis can be offset by various policy measures. This paper aims to outline how countries can safeguard and support mental health in times of economic downturn. It indicates that good mental health cannot be achieved by the health sector alone. The determinants of mental health often lie outside of the remits of the health system, and all sectors of society have to be involved in the promotion of mental health. Accessible and responsive primary care services support people at risk and can prevent mental health consequences. Any austerity measures imposed on mental health services need to be geared to support the modernization of mental health care provision. Social welfare supports and active labour market programmes aiming at helping people retain or re-gain jobs can counteract the mental health effects of the economic crisis. Family support programmes can also make a difference. Alcohol pricing and restrictions of alcohol availability reduce alcohol harms and save lives. Support to tackle unmanageable debt will also help to reduce the mental health impact of the crisis. While the current economic crisis may have a major impact on mental health and increase mortality due to suicides and alcohol-related disorders, it is also a window of opportunity to reform mental health care and promote a mentally healthy lifestyle.

Quality of longer term mental health facilities in Europe: validation of the quality indicator for rehabilitative care against service users' views

Background

The Quality Indicator for Rehabilitative Care (QuIRC) is a staff rated, international toolkit that assesses care in longer term hospital and community based mental health facilities. The QuIRC was developed from review of the international literature, an international Delphi exercise with over 400 service users, practitioners, carers and advocates from ten European countries at different stages of deinstitutionalisation, and review of the care standards in these countries. It can be completed in under an hour by the facility manager and has robust content validity, acceptability and inter-rater reliability. In this study, we investigated the internal validity of the QuIRC. Our aim was to identify the QuIRC domains of care that independently predicted better service user experiences of care.

Method

At least 20 units providing longer term care for adults with severe mental illness were recruited in each of ten European countries. Service users completed standardised measures of their experiences of care, quality of life, autonomy and the unit’s therapeutic milieu. Unit managers completed the QuIRC. Multilevel modelling allowed analysis of associations between service user ratings as dependent variables with unit QuIRC domain ratings as independent variables.

Results

1750/2495 (70%) users and the managers of 213 units from across ten European countries participated. QuIRC ratings were positively associated with service users’ autonomy and experiences of care. Associations between QuIRC ratings and service users’ ratings of their quality of life and the unit’s therapeutic milieu were explained by service user characteristics (age, diagnosis and functioning). A hypothetical 10% increase in QuIRC rating resulted in a clinically meaningful improvement in autonomy.

Conclusions

Ratings of the quality of longer term mental health facilities made by service managers were positively associated with service users’ autonomy and experiences of care. Interventions that improve quality of care in these settings may promote service users’ autonomy.