title: Randomised controlled trial of joint crisis plans to reduce compulsory treatment for people with psychosis: economic outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Compulsory admission to psychiatric hospitals may be distressing, disruptive to patients and families, and associated with considerable cost to the health service. Improved patient experience and cost reductions could be realised by providing cost-effective crisis planning services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Economic evaluation within a multi-centre randomised controlled trial comparing Joint Crisis Plans (JCP) plus treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU alone for patients aged over 16, with at least one psychiatric hospital admission in the previous two years and on the Enhanced Care Programme Approach register. JCPs, containing the patient's treatment preferences for any future psychiatric emergency, are a form of crisis intervention that aim to mitigate the negative consequences of relapse, including hospital admission and use of coercion. Data were collected at baseline and 18-months after randomisation. The primary outcome was admission to hospital under the Mental Health Act. The economic evaluation took a service perspective (health, social care and criminal justice services) and a societal perspective (additionally including criminal activity and productivity losses).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The addition of JCPs to TAU had no significant effect on compulsory admissions or total societal cost per participant over 18-months follow-up. From the service cost perspective, however, evidence suggests a higher probability (80%) of JCPs being the more cost-effective option. Exploration by ethnic group highlights distinct patterns of costs and effects. Whilst the evidence does not support the cost-effectiveness of JCPs for White or Asian ethnic groups, there is at least a 90% probability of the JCP intervention being the more cost-effective option in the Black ethnic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results by ethnic group are sufficiently striking to warrant further investigation into the potential for patient gain from JCPs among black patient groups.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN11501328.
authors.affiliation: Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Waquas
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Waheed
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farrelly
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birchwood
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flach
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Morven
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leese
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sutherby
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szmukler
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thornicroft
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Byford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000191:economics*; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D057240:Patient Preference; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*