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Dynamic modelling of the impact of community-based acute mental health services for children and adolescents.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Dynamic modelling of the impact of community-based acute mental health services for children and adolescents.
Authors: Skinner, Adam (AUTHOR), Occhipinti, Jo-An (AUTHOR), Song, Yun Ju Christine (AUTHOR), Scott, Elizabeth M (AUTHOR), Hickie, Ian B (AUTHOR)
Source: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. Dec2023, Vol. 57 Issue 12, p1562-1569. 8p.
Subjects: Computer simulation, Confidence intervals, Hospital emergency services, Health care teams, Research funding
Geographic Terms: New South Wales
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the potential impact of the recently announced 'Safeguards' initiative on mental health-related emergency department presentation rates for children and adolescents (0−17 years). This state-funded initiative aims to establish 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams across New South Wales. Methods: We estimated the effects of the 'Safeguards' initiative using a state-level dynamic model of child and adolescent acute mental health care. Potential reductions in total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations (i.e. presentations within 3 months of an initial presentation) were assessed via a series of simulation experiments in which we systematically varied the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams and the mean duration of care per patient. Results: Assuming a mean treatment duration of 6 weeks per patient, 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams are projected to reduce total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations over the period 2022–2031 by 15.0% (95% interval, 12.0−18.2%) and 31.7% (26.2−37.8%), respectively. Increasing the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams above 25 has minimal additional impact on projected reductions in numbers of emergency department presentations and re-presentations, provided the mean duration of care is no more than 8 weeks. However, where the mean duration of care is greater than 4 weeks, a decrease in the number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams below 25 reduces the potential effectiveness of the 'Safeguards' initiative significantly. Conclusion: Our simulation results indicate that full and timely implementation will be critical if the potentially substantial impact of the 'Safeguards' initiative on demand for hospital-based emergency mental health care is to be realised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the potential impact of the recently announced 'Safeguards' initiative on mental health-related emergency department presentation rates for children and adolescents (0−17 years). This state-funded initiative aims to establish 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams across New South Wales. Methods: We estimated the effects of the 'Safeguards' initiative using a state-level dynamic model of child and adolescent acute mental health care. Potential reductions in total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations (i.e. presentations within 3 months of an initial presentation) were assessed via a series of simulation experiments in which we systematically varied the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams and the mean duration of care per patient. Results: Assuming a mean treatment duration of 6 weeks per patient, 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams are projected to reduce total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations over the period 2022–2031 by 15.0% (95% interval, 12.0−18.2%) and 31.7% (26.2−37.8%), respectively. Increasing the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams above 25 has minimal additional impact on projected reductions in numbers of emergency department presentations and re-presentations, provided the mean duration of care is no more than 8 weeks. However, where the mean duration of care is greater than 4 weeks, a decrease in the number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams below 25 reduces the potential effectiveness of the 'Safeguards' initiative significantly. Conclusion: Our simulation results indicate that full and timely implementation will be critical if the potentially substantial impact of the 'Safeguards' initiative on demand for hospital-based emergency mental health care is to be realised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00048674
DOI:10.1177/00048674231195555