Psychotherapy with borderline patients: II. A preliminary cost benefit study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary cost benefit study of the effect of outpatient psychotherapy, twice a week for 1 year, in 30 borderline patients.


METHODS
Costs to the health system in terms of inpatient care for the year before treatment were compared with the costs for the year following treatment.


RESULTS
The cost of hospital admissions for the 30 patients for the year before treatment was $684 346 (range = $0-$143 756/patient). The cost of hospital admissions for the year after treatment was $41 424 (range = $0-$12 333/patient). These figures represent an average decrease in costs per patient of $21 431. By using the schedule fee as the basis, the estimated cost of therapy per patient was approximately $13 000, representing a saving/patient of $8431 or approximately $250 000 over the total cohort in the first year after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that there is a significant cost benefit in the appropriate treatment of borderline patients.
Stevenson
J
J
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. acomerfo@mail.usyd.edu.au
Meares
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome