The evaluation of a model of primary mental health care in rural Tasmania.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a primary care mental health service.


METHODS
The study used a naturalistic longitudinal design to follow groups of participants who received intervention from a rural mental health worker, or 'usual' mental health service, or no treatment, over a period of 12 months.


METHODS
The service was evaluated in a rural primary care setting.


METHODS
One hundred and forty-five primary care patients.


METHODS
Changes in symptomatology were assessed using the SCL-90R summary scales, and changes in quality of life were assessed using the EuroQOL.


RESULTS
Those participants treated by the primary mental health worker showed significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life compared to both the usual and no-treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There are few studies evaluating mental health services in rural settings. This study demonstrated that a particular model of primary mental health care was more effective than usual mental health care and no treatment at resolving symptoms and improving quality of life.
Campbell
Alistair
A
Department of Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. alistair.campbell@jcu.edu.au
D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013648:Tasmania