Cluster randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of primary care mental health workers.
BACKGROUND
Mental health issues are a core part of the work of primary care and are the second most common reason for consultations. There is some evidence that the quality of primary care mental health provision is variable.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of primary care mental health workers with regards to satisfaction with care, mental health symptoms, use of the voluntary sector, and cost effectiveness of care.


METHODS
Cluster randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Practices in the Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust, Birmingham, England.


METHODS
Nineteen practices and 368 patients (18 to 65 years of age) with a diagnosis of a new or ongoing common mental health problem were recruited. Sixteen practices and 284 patients completed the trial.


RESULTS
Patients in intervention practices had a higher mean level of general satisfaction than those in control practices (difference between group scores of 8.3, 95% confidence interval = 1.3 to 15.3, P = 0.023). The two groups did not differ in mental health symptom scores or use of the voluntary sector.


CONCLUSIONS
For patients with common mental health problems, primary care mental health workers may be effective at increasing satisfaction with an episode of care.
Lester
Helen
H
Department of Primary Care and General Practice, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. H.E.Lester@bham.ac.uk
Freemantle
Nick
N
Wilson
Sue
S
Sorohan
Helen
H
England
Elizabeth
E
Griffin
Carl
C
Shankar
Aparna
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome