Using program theory to develop keyperformance indicators for child andadolescent mental health services

Abstract

Key Performance Indicators are used increasingly by health services, but their relevance and utility may be questionable. In this article, Program Theory is used to model the irreducible stages in the system of clinical care in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, define the major program operations in each of these stages, and specify the intermediate outcomes of each stage and the final outcomes sought. National and State policy standards are used, with practice experience, to identify key program operations and intermediate outcomes sought. Systematic criteria are then applied to select KPIs that are measurable, reliable, valid for our program theory, utilitarian, and relevant to clinicians, clients and managers.

Performance measurement in mental health care: present situation and future possibilities

“…Moreover, half of these six papers mentioned accountability as an additional purpose of performance measurement. Ten papers reported on performance management to base future decisions on (Kamis-Gould, 1987;Rosen et al, 1989;Baker, 1998;Carpinello et al, 1998;Wolfersteig and Dunham, 1998;Santiago, 1999;Birleson et al, 2001;Moullin, 2004a;Mothersole, 2006). Of these 10 papers three used the BSC (Wolfersteig and Dunham, 1998;Santiago, 1999;Moullin, 2004a), which is a well-known framework used for performance management (Kaplan and Norton, 1996).…”

“…Performance management was the focus of performance measurement in 10 papers (Kamis-Gould, 1987;Rosen et al, 1989;Baker, 1998;Carpinello et al, 1998;Wolfersteig and Dunham, 1998;Baker, 1999;Santiago, 1999;Birleson et al, 2001;Tompkins and Perloff, 2004;Moullin, 2004a;Mothersole, 2006). In four papers the performance management system as described in the paper was performed by the state or national government (Kamis-Gould, 1987;Rosen et al, 1989;Carpinello et al, 1998;Tompkins and Perloff, 2004).…”

Reviewing the learning organisation model in a child and adolescent mental health service

“…A service procedure manual emphasises the value of rapid assessment, collaborative service planning and review, and using data for decision-making. 14 …”

Developing performance indicators for homeless outreach psychiatric services

“…5 An example of the current national indicator is '28-day readmissions to acute mental health units', for which the threshold set at 15%. 6 PIs were also developed for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMS) 7 and Consultation-Liaison (C-L) psychiatry services. 8 Both assess 'time to initial assessment', a measure of responsiveness, which is important when providing mental health expertise to general health services.…”

“…PIs were also developed for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMS) 7 and Consultation-Liaison (C-L) psychiatry services. 8 Both assess ‘time to initial assessment’, a measure of responsiveness, which is important when providing mental health expertise to general health services.…”