A predictive model to allocate frequent service users of community-based mental health services to different packages of care.

Aim: To develop predictive models to allocate patients into frequent and low service users groups within the Italian Community-based Mental Health Services (CMHSs). To allocate frequent users to different packages of care, identifying the costs of these packages.

Methods: Socio-demographic and clinical data and GAF scores at baseline were collected for 1250 users attending five CMHSs.

[The cost and utilization of psychotherapy in community-based mental health services. A multicentre study in five Italian areas].

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of psychotherapy intervention in five Italian Centres for Mental Health. Analysing sociodemographic characteristics, geographical differences, frequencies of psychotherapy interventions, and the costs of these interventions.

Methods: Five Italian Community-based Psychiatric Services collected data from 1250 patients during October 2002.

[Proposal for a new funding system for mental health departments. Results from an evaluative multicentre Italian study (I-psycost)].

Aims: To obtain a new, well-balanced mental health funding system, through the creation of (i) a list of psychiatric interventions provided by Italian Community-based Psychiatric Services (CPS), and associated costs; (ii) a new prospective funding system for patients with a high use of resources, based on packages of care.

Methods: Five Italian Community-based Psychiatric Services collected data from 1250 patients during October 2002. Socio-demographical and clinical characteristics and GAF scores were collected at baseline.