The study shows that the results of the quality assessment of economic evaluations are not so much influenced by the instrument used but more by the assessor. Therefore, quality assessments should be performed by at least two independent experts and final scoring based on consensus.

Psychiatric in-patient care is associated with moderate socio-economic differences in access, treatment and outcome. Further research is needed to clarify the causes of such disparities.

SE factors are a predictor of in-patient LOS and should be taken into account in per case resource allocation among hospitals.

No abstract