Economic context analysis in mental health care. Usability of health financing and cost of illness studies for international comparisons

Abstract

This paper discusses an integrated approach to mental health studies on Financing of Illness (FoI) and health accounting, Cost of Illness (CoI) and Burden of Disease (BoD). In order to expand the mental health policies, the following are suggested: (a) an international consensus on the standard scope, methods to collect and to analyse mental health data, as well as to report comparative information; (b) mathematical models are also to be validated and tested in an integrated approach, (c) a better knowledge transfer between clinicians and knowledge engineers, and between researchers and policy makers to translate economic analysis into practice and health planning.

Cost of borderline personality disorder in Catalonia (Spain)

“…A small number of top-down cost of illness studies at national or world region level have included BPD, such as the CBDE2010 study in Europe [18]. CBDE2010 and other framing studies are essential to raise awareness and to guide general policy, but they may have limited use for regional resource allocation and priority setting, at least in the case of disorders without a large prior evidence-base [40]. CBDE2010 was based on the literature review and expert assumptions.…”

Regional planning for meaningful person-centred care in mental health: context is the signal not the noise

“…Understanding the contextual, structural and unique personal factors that enable individuals to successfully access effective interventions is crucial if we are to realise the benefits of an affordable, accessible, efficient and high-quality health system for all (Salvador-Carulla and Hernández-Peña, 2011). This has practical implications for the planning of healthcare services more broadly, but is critical for the successful operation of local-level care systems where resources are scarce, placing a premium on maximising the technical efficiency of what is available (Duckett, 2008; Fuller et al ., 2009).…”

Framing of scientific knowledge as a new category of health care research

“…In spite of their huge impact on policy and research, very little effort has been expanded to adequately classify CoI and BoI studies [61]. As a consequence, studies that would better fit into the category of FSK are mixed up with others that, although following hybrid or mixed approaches, would better fit within the framework of scientific evidence.…”