Bridget Bassilios

Australia's Better Access initiative: an evaluation.

Background: Australias Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative involves a series of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers which offer a rebate for selected services delivered by eligible clinicians. There has been considerable debate about the appropriateness and effectiveness of Better Access, much of which has been based on limited evidence. The current paper contributes to this debate by presenting the findings of a study which profiled the clinical and treatment characteristics of Better Access patients and examined the outcomes of their care. Method: We approached a stratified random sample of providers who had billed for at least 100 occasions of service under the Better Access item numbers in 2008 (509 clinical psychologists, 640 registered psychologists, 1280 GPs) and invited them to participate. Those who agreed were asked to recruit 5–10 Better Access patients according to a specific protocol. We collected data that enabled us to profile providers, patients and sessions. We also collected pre- and post-treatment patient outcome data, using the Kessler-10 (K-10) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Results: In total, 883 patients were recruited into the study (289 by 41 clinical psychologists, 317 by 49 registered psychologists and 277 by 39 GPs). More than 90% of participating patients had diagnoses of depression and/or anxiety (compared with 13% of the general population). More than 80% were experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress (compared with 10% of the general population). Around half of all participating patients had no previous history of mental health care. Patients experienced statistically significant improvements in average K-10 and DASS-21 scores from pre- to post-treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Better Access is playing an important part in meeting the communitys previously unmet need for mental health care.

The complementarity of two major Australian primary mental health care initiatives

Objective: Two pivotal Australian Government primary mental health reforms are the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) projects, introduced in July 2001 and implemented by Divisions of General Practice, and the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) programme, introduced in November 2006. This research explores the reciprocal impact of the uptake of psychological treatment delivered by these two initiatives and the impact of location (rurality and socioeconomic profile) on the uptake of both programmes since the inception of the Better Access programme. ATAPS session delivery, before and after the introduction of the Better Access program, is also examined. Method: General Practice Division-level data sources included a minimum dataset containing uptake data of ATAPS services, Medicare Benefits Schedule uptake data supplied by the Medicare Benefits Branch of the Department of Health and Ageing, a Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Area classification, and Indices for Relative Socio Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Regression analyses were conducted to examine the reciprocal impact of the two programmes and the impact of rurality and socioeconomic status up to December 2008. Results: A dramatic uptake of Better Access sessions, particularly in urban areas, coincided with a temporary reduction in sessions provided under ATAPS, with an overall small positive relationship detected between the two programmes. A greater proportion of ATAPS sessions (45%) have been delivered in rural areas compared with Better Access (18%). The combination of socioeconomic profile, rurality, and Better Access sessions accounted for a small but significant percentage of variance (7%) in the number of ATAPS sessions delivered, with a non-significant independent contribution of Better Access sessions to the prediction of ATAPS sessions. Weak but significant relationships between ATAPS sessions and each of socioeconomic profile (r = 0.22) and rurality (r = −0.24), respectively, were identified. In comparison, socioeconomic profile, rurality, and ATAPS sessions accounted for a much larger and significant percentage of variance (46%) in number of Better Access sessions delivered, with a non-significant independent contribution of ATAPS sessions to the prediction of Better Access sessions. Moderate significant relationships between Better Access sessions and each of socioeconomic profile (r = 0.46) and rurality (r = −0.66), respectively, were identified. The introduction of Better Access appears to have halted the steady increase in the number of ATAPS sessions previously observed. This finding should be interpreted alongside the fact that ATAPS funding is capped. Conclusions: The findings are policy relevant. ATAPS projects have been successfully providing equity of geographic and socioeconomic access for consumers most in need of subsidized psychological treatment. The uptake of psychological treatment under Better Access has been dramatic, suggesting that the programme is addressing an unmet need.

Clinical improvement after treatment provided through the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) programme: Do some patients show greater improvement than others?

Objective: Australias Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) programme enables GPs to refer patients with common mental disorders to allied health professionals for time-limited treatment, through its Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) projects. This paper considers whether patients who receive care through the ATAPS projects make clinical gains, if so, whether particular patient-related and treatment-related variables are predictive of these outcomes. Method: Divisions of General Practice (Divisions), which run the ATAPS projects, are required to enter de-identified data into a minimum dataset, including data on patients’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, the sessions of care they receive, and their clinical outcomes. We extracted data from January 2006 to June 2010, and examined the difference between mean pre- and post-treatment scores on the range of outcome measures being used by Divisions. We then conducted a linear regression analysis using scores on the most commonly-used outcome measure as the outcome of interest. Results: Pre- and post-treatment outcome data were available for 16 700 patients from nine different outcome measures. Across all measures, the mean difference was statistically significant and indicative of clinical improvement. The most commonly-used measure was the Kessler-10 (K-10), and pre- and post-treatment K-10 data were available for 7747 patients. After adjusting for clustering by Division, outcome on the K-10 was associated with age, levels of income and education, previous receipt of mental health care, number of sessions, treatment received and pre-treatment K-10 score. The benchmark was sufficiently high, however, that even the groups that fared relatively less well still showed strong improvement in absolute terms. Conclusions: Patients who receive care through the ATAPS projects are making considerable clinical gains. A range of socio-demographic, clinical and treatment-based variables are associated with the levels of outcomes achieved, but improvements are still substantial even for those in the relatively disadvantaged groups.

Frequent callers to crisis helplines: Who are they and why do they call?:

Objective: Frequent callers present a challenge for crisis helplines, which strive to achieve optimal outcomes for all callers within finite resources. This study aimed to describe frequent callers to Lifeline (the largest crisis helpline in Australia) and compare them with non-frequent callers, with a view to furthering knowledge about models of service delivery that might meet the needs of frequent callers. Method: Lifeline provided an anonymous dataset on calls made between December 2011 and May 2013. We assumed calls from the same (encrypted) phone number were made by the same person, and aggregated call level data up to the person level. Individuals who made 0.667 calls per day in any period from 1 week to the full 549 days for which we had data (i.e. 4.7 calls in 7 days, 20 calls in 30 days, 40 calls in 60 days, etc.) were regarded as frequent callers. Results: Our analysis dataset included 411,725 calls made by 98,174 individuals, 2594 (2.6%) of whom met our definition of frequent callers. We identified a number of predictors of being a frequent caller, including being male or transgender, and never having been married. The odds increased with age until 55–64 years, and then declined. Suicidality, self-harm, mental health issues, crime, child protection and domestic violence issues all predicted being a frequent caller. Conclusions: Collectively, frequent callers have a significant impact on crisis lines, and solutions need to be found for responding to them that are in everybody’s best interests (i.e. the frequent callers themselves, other callers, telephone crisis supporters who staff crisis lines, and those who manage crisis lines). In striking this balance, the complex and multiple needs of frequent callers must be taken into account.

Systematic review of research into frequent callers to crisis helplines.

Summary We conducted a systematic review of research into callers making multiple calls to crisis helplines. Two databases were searched, identifying 561 articles from 1960 until 2012, of which 63 were relevant. Twenty-one articles from 19 separate studies presented empirical data about callers making multiple calls to crisis helplines. Of the 19 studies, three were intervention studies, five were surveys of callers and 11 were call record audits. Most studies were conducted in the USA and defined frequent callers as people making two or more calls. Frequent callers were more likely to be male and unmarried compared to other callers. There were no reported differences between frequent callers and other callers with regard to age, mental health conditions or suicidality. Three studies tested interventions designed to better manage frequent callers. These studies, even though small, reported reductions in the number of calls made by frequent callers. Suggested techniques for responding to frequent callers included: limiting the number and duration of calls allowed, assigning a specific counsellor, implementing face to face contact, the service initiating contact with the caller instead of waiting for callers to contact the service, providing short term anxiety and depression treatment programmes by telephone, and creating a specific management plan for each frequent caller. Future work requires robust study design methods using larger sample sizes and validated measurements.

An evaluation of an Australian initiative designed to improve interdisciplinary collaboration in primary mental health care

This paper reports on a multi-component evaluation of Australias Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN). MHPN aims to improve consumer outcomes by fostering a collaborative clinical approach to primary mental health care. MHPN has promoted interdisciplinary communication and networking through activity in three inter-related areas: interdisciplinary workshops supported by education and training materials; fostering ongoing, self-sustained interdisciplinary clinical networks; and a website, web portal (MHPN Online) and a toll-free telephone information line. The evaluation showed that MHPNs workshops were highly successful; almost 1200 workshops were attended by 11,930 individuals from a range of mental health professions. Participants from 81% of these workshops have gone on to join ongoing, interdisciplinary networks of local providers, and MHPN is now supporting these networks in a range of innovative ways to encourage them to become self-sustaining and to improve collaborative care practices.

Predictors of Exercise in Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Test of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change

INTRODUCTION Mortality in individuals with schizophrenia, including deaths not attributable to accidents and suicide, is at least twice that of the general population. While increasing physical exercise could promote positive mental and physical health outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia, only one other study of the determinants of exercise within this population has been reported. Our study attempts to resolve this void in knowledge by testing the applicability of the transtheoretical model (TTM) of behavior change to predicting exercise behavior in those with schizophrenia. METHODS Forty-nine participants (42 with schizophrenia and 7 with schizoaffective disorder) from three community mental health centers in Melbourne, Australia, completed a series of questionnaires, an interview, physical health measures, and had their medical records examined. These measures were used: TTM exercise stage, TTM mediators of change, health status, health-risk behaviors, use of antipsychotic medications, psychopathology, psychiatric history, and demographic information. Variables found to be significantly correlated with exercise stage were then included in a series of regression analyses to determine their relative predictive power for exercise stage. RESULTS The results demonstrated that the TTM and its associated measures may be valid for integration into interventions for promoting exercise in individuals with schizophrenia, despite high levels of psychopathology symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Routine clinical practice should promote exercise in people with schizophrenia and the TTM may be of benefit to this end. Strategies that promote exercise when self-perceived poor health is seen as a significant barrier are particularly important, as is the reduction of caffeine consumption and other health-adverse behaviors.

Why don't people diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) get enough exercise?

Objective: Our aim was to assess physical activity, attitudes and future intentions among a sample of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Methods: A cross-sectional interview was conducted with a convenience sample of 49 adults with SSDs and in receipt of community mental health services. Interview questions elicited information about exercise behaviour across time, including reasons for expressed preferences. Results: Participants reported variable current physical activities. They were much more likely to report past exercise than current exercise or intentions for future exercise. Participants were more likely to report physical than psychological benefits as incentives for exercise. Social influence and the opportunity for social interaction emerged as reasons for exercising. Barriers to exercise included physical health problems, disinterest and one’s psychiatric illness. Conclusions: Community mental health services should routinely integrate targeted interventions that promote exercise. Social support for exercise, strategies to increase self-efficacy and education about the multifaceted benefits of exercise are necessary considerations in the development of such interventions.

Innovations in primary mental healthcare

OBJECTIVE We review the evidence on innovations in Tier 2 of the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program, which is designed to facilitate the provision of primary mental healthcare to hard-to-reach and at-risk population groups (including women with perinatal depression, people at risk of self-harm or suicide, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, people affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires, people in remote locations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and children with mental disorders) and the trialling of new modalities of service delivery (e.g. telephone-based or web-based CBT). The primary focus is on the uptake, outcomes and issues associated with the provision of ATAPS Tier 2. METHODS Drawing on data from an ongoing national ATAPS evaluation, including a national minimum dataset, key informant interviews and surveys, the impact of ATAPS innovations is analysed and illustrated through program examples. RESULTS ATAPS Tier 2 facilitates access to, uptake of and positive clinical outcomes from primary mental healthcare for population groups with particular needs, although it requires periods of time to implement locally. CONCLUSIONS Relatively simple innovations in mental health program design can have important practical ramifications for service provision, extending program reach and improving mental health outcomes for target populations. What is known about the topic? It is recognised that innovative approaches are required to tailor mental health programs for hard-to-reach and at-risk population groups. Divisions of General Practice have implemented innovations in the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program for several years. What does this paper add? Drawing on data from an ongoing national ATAPS evaluation, this paper presents a systematic analysis of the uptake, outcomes and issues associated with provision of the innovative ATAPS program. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings highlight the benefits of introducing innovations in primary mental healthcare in terms of increased access to care and positive consumer outcomes. They also identify challenges to and facilitators of the implementation process, which can inform innovation efforts in other primary care contexts.

Enhanced Primary Mental Health Services in Response to Disaster

OBJECTIVE Although postdisaster mental health sequelae are recognized, the role of mental health services in primary care after disasters has not been investigated. This study examined the uptake of enhanced primary mental health services delivered via the Australian government mental health response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires and considered the consumer outcomes associated with them. METHODS Data from a national Web-based minimum data set enabled description of consumers, sessions, and treatment outcomes. Key informant interviews provided supplementary qualitative data. RESULTS From January 2009 to June 2011, a total of 1,535 consumers received 9,949 sessions via enhanced primary mental health services. Most had depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or both. Clinical outcomes data from standardized mental health outcome measures demonstrated statistically significant gains indicative of clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS Primary mental health services were well utilized and received by bushfire-affected individuals in most areas and produced positive outcomes for consumers in terms of reducing symptoms and improving psychosocial functioning. Enhancing existing primary mental health services shows promise as a means of responding to bushfires and may be applicable internationally in other disaster contexts.