p>Researchers in Australia have conducted a review of papers published between 1998 and 2000, to examine the factors that increase collaboration between specialist mental health services and primary mental health care. This thematic and narrative review included papers that were published in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe, USA and Canada.
Data was extracted based on factors that were reported as either enablers or barriers to the development of service linkages and then were tabulated by theme at both the clinical and organizational levels. The inter-relationship between the themes was also explored.
Of the 30 papers reviewed, the most often cited group of enabling factors was “partnership formation”, particularly as it related to role clarity between health care providers. Other enablers were staff support, clinician attributes, physical features of the clinic, and evaluation and feedback. At the organizational level, a supportive institutional environment of leadership and change management were found to be important.
An expert reference group formulated strategies for collaboration that would be viewed as important, acceptable and feasible. They also proposed five areas of strategy for policy makers that address key themes such as organizational level support, joint clinical problem solving, local joint care guidelines, staff training and supervision, and feedback. This study helps provide a framework for health planners to develop effective service linkages in primary mental health care.
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