Improving access to and outcomes from mental health care in rural Australia.
OBJECTIVE
Rural Australians face particular difficulties in accessing mental health care. This paper explores whether 51 rural Access to Allied Psychological Services projects, funded under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program, are improving such access, and, if so, whether this is translating to positive consumer outcomes.


METHODS
The paper draws on three data sources (a survey of models of service delivery, a minimum dataset and three case studies) to examine the operation and achievements of these projects, and makes comparisons with their 57 urban equivalents as relevant.


RESULTS
Proportionally, uptake of the projects in rural areas has been higher than in urban areas: more GPs and allied health professionals are involved, and more consumers have received care. There is also evidence that the models of service delivery used in these projects have specifically been designed to resolve issues particular to rural areas, such as difficulties recruiting and retaining providers. The projects are being delivered at no or low cost to consumers, and are achieving positive outcomes as assessed by standardised measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the rural projects have the potential to improve access to mental health care for rural residents with depression and anxiety, by enabling GPs to refer them to allied health professionals. The findings are discussed with reference to recent reforms to mental health care delivery in Australia.
Morley
Belinda
B
Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Pirkis
Jane
J
Naccarella
Lucio
L
Kohn
Fay
F
Blashki
Grant
G
Burgess
Philip
P
D001315:Australia; D003284:Contract Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D020380:Needs Assessment; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014195:Travel