Improving primary mental health care: impact of a nationwide programme.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of a nationwide programme on primary mental health care practices.


METHODS
Cohort study involving two surveys conducted in 2001 and 2003.


METHODS
Random sample of 2757 general practitioners.


METHODS
In 2001, a nationwide programme was initiated to improve primary mental health care. The programme used a participatory approach with regional needs assessment and regional selection of the interventions.


METHODS
Perceived need, availability and participation in the interventions; self-reported mental health performance (self-reported diagnosis and management of mental health disorders); perceived barriers to optimal care.


RESULTS
Baseline and follow-up questionnaires were returned by 1336 and 1358 general practitioners, respectively. Interventions did not entirely match general practitioners' needs. Mental health performance did not change consistently while perceived barriers to optimal care decreased considerably. Actual participation in the interventions was not associated with improved mental health performance or decreased perception of barriers.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of the nationwide programme had no considerable impact on the professional practices of general practitioners with regard to mental health care. This finding challenges the assumption that a bottom-up approach to quality improvement is effective. Extensive coordination at a national level and the provision of specific supportive products and services appears to be necessary to achieve improvement.
Heideman
Jantien M C
JM
Centre for Quality of Care Research (WOK), 117 KWAZO, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.heideman@kwazo.umcn.nl
Laurant
Miranda G H
MG
Wensing
Michel
M
Grol
Richard P T M
RP
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care