AI Article Synopsis
- The study evaluates the Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia's Psychiatric Urgent Care Program, which uses group medical visits and email communication instead of traditional one-on-one follow-ups for patients with mood and anxiety disorders.
- It compares the annual costs of the MDA Program with those of private outpatient psychiatrists and mental health centers, finding the MDA Program to be significantly more cost-effective for patients with moderate to severe conditions.
- Patient and physician satisfaction surveys indicate high levels of approval for the MDA Program's care model, suggesting it is both efficient and well-received.
Article Abstract
Objective: To describe an alternative model of psychiatric outpatient care for patients with mood and anxiety disorders (the Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia Psychiatric Urgent Care Program or the MDA Program) using group medical visits (GMV) and (or) email communications in lieu of individual follow-up appointments.
Method: Annual costs of the MDA Program were compared with average costs of private psychiatrists offering outpatient care and patients being treated in a mental health centre. In addition, questionnaires as to patient satisfaction with the MDA Program intake, GMV experience, and family physician satisfaction with the MDA Program were administered.
Results: The MDA Program model of care is significantly more cost effective than individual psychiatric outpatient care or health authority mental health centre care for patients with moderate or severe illness. Patients and family physicians were very satisfied with the model of care and GMVs offered.
Conclusions: The MDA Program model of care appears to be efficient and cost-effective, and patients and referring physicians appear satisfied with the care offered in this program.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4079133 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/070674371405900407 | DOI Listing |
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