A domains-based taxonomy of supported accommodation for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
OBJECTIVE
A lack of definitional clarity in supported accommodation and the absence of a widely accepted system for classifying supported accommodation models creates barriers to service planning and evaluation.


METHODS
We undertook a systematic review of existing supported accommodation classification systems. Using a structured system for qualitative data analysis, we reviewed the stratification features in these classification systems, identified the key elements of supported accommodation and arranged them into domains and dimensions to create a new taxonomy. The existing classification systems were mapped onto the new taxonomy to verify the domains and dimensions.


RESULTS
Existing classification systems used either a service-level characteristic or programmatic approach. We proposed a taxonomy based around four domains: duration of tenure; patient characteristics; housing characteristics; and service characteristics. All of the domains in the taxonomy were drawn from the existing classification structures; however, none of the existing classification structures covered all of the domains in the taxonomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Existing classification systems are regionally based, limited in scope and lack flexibility. A domains-based taxonomy can allow more accurate description of supported accommodation services, aid in identifying the service elements likely to improve outcomes for specific patient populations, and assist in service planning.
Policy and Evaluation Group, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park-Centre for Mental Health, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Sumner Park BC, Locked Bag 500, Brisbane, QLD 4074, Australia. dan_siskind@qcmhr.uq.edu.au
Dan
D
Siskind
Meredith
M
Harris
Jane
J
Pirkis
Harvey
H
Whiteford
D018672:Community Health Planning; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index