Outcomes focused service delivery: developing an academic-management partnership.
OBJECTIVE
Current mental health policies emphasise the need for services to be integrated and to develop outcomes-based evaluation systems. An overview of the challenges faced by service managers and clinical academics who develop the appropriate financial, personnel and academic infrastructure for these tasks is presented.


METHODS
By drawing on experiences within the St George Service and references to other services, we propose a model for a successful partnership between the academic and management components of a district service.


RESULTS
Major logistic impediments to the development of a partnership are identified, although the long-term scientific and service delivery benefits are highlighted. Key areas within both academic practice and managerial approaches requiring transformation are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
A successful long-term partnership between management and an academic department within a district service may provide the opportunity for rapid progress in population-based service evaluation and health outcomes research.
Tobin
M
M
Area Mental Health Services, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Hickie
I
I
D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000639:trends; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D009517:New South Wales; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends