COMplex mental health PAThways (COMPAT) Study: A mixed methods study to inform an evidence-based service delivery model for people with complex needs: Study protocol.



Saini, Pooja ORCID: 0000-0002-4981-7914, Martin, Antony ORCID: 0000-0003-4383-6038, McIntyre, Jason ORCID: 0000-0002-5601-524X, Balmer, Anna, Burton, Sam, Roks, Hana, Sambrook, Laura, Shetty, Amrith and Nathan, Rajan
(2022) COMplex mental health PAThways (COMPAT) Study: A mixed methods study to inform an evidence-based service delivery model for people with complex needs: Study protocol. PloS one, 17 (3). e0264173-e0264173.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Mental health services for adults, as they are currently configured, have been designed to provide predominantly community-based interventions. It has long been recognised that some patients have such significant clinical and/or risk needs that those needs cannot be adequately met within standard service delivery models, resulting in a pressing need to consider the best models for this group of people. This paper shares a protocol for a mixed methods study that aims to understand: the profile and history of service users described as having complex needs; the decision-making processes by clinicians that lead to complex needs categorisation; service users and carers experience of service use; and, associated economic impact. This protocol describes a comprehensive evaluation that aims to inform an evidence-based service delivery model for people with complex needs.<h4>Methods</h4>We will use a mixed methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods using in-depth descriptive and inferential analysis of patient records, written medical notes and in-depth interviews with service users, carers, and clinicians. The study will include five components: (1) a quantitative description and analysis of the demographic clinical characteristics of the patient group; (2) an economic evaluation of alternative patient pathways; (3) semi-structured interviews about service user and carer experiences; (4) using data from components 1-3 to co-produce vignettes jointly with relevant stakeholders involved in the care of service users with complex mental health needs; and, (5) semi-structured interviews about clinical decision-making by clinicians in relation to this patient group, using the vignettes as example case studies.<h4>Discussion</h4>The study's key outcomes will be to: examine the resource use and cost-impact associated with alternative care pathways to the NHS and other sectors of the economy (including social care); explore patient health and non-health outcomes associated with alternative care pathways; and, gain an understanding of a complex service user group and how treatment decisions are made to inform consistent and person-centred future service delivery.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Mental Health, Mental Health Services, Social Support, Adult, Caregivers
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 19 May 2022 07:53
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 21:01
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264173
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264173
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3155101