Consultant caseload management.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to survey a different model of working as a consultant in a child and adolescent mental health service to address the problem of a long waiting list.


METHODS
A log of referrals was kept from date of entry and when patient were seen.


RESULTS
The main outcome was in reducing the waiting time from 22 weeks to 8.4 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical implication is for consultants to consider using a consultation model in child and adolescent mental health services.
Mathai
John
J
Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne University, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Mental Health Service, Parkville, Vic, Australia. john.mathai@rch.org.au
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014850:Waiting Lists; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data