Authors: Tim Coombs
Year: 2017
Event: 2017 TheMHS Conference
Subject: Funding – Changing Models, Systems
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: The Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) has developed the first version of the Australian Mental Health Care Classification (AMHCC) (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, 2016). Information is currently being collected by all states and territories to support the use of this classification for funding mental health services. A central component of this classification is an instrument called the Mental Health Phase of Care (MHPoC). This instrument provides a description of the primary goal of care, the severity of symptoms and functional ability of the consumer along with clinician activity and their expectation of change. This paper will outline the history of the MHPoC from its conceptual beginnings as part of the Mental Health Service Classification and Cost Study (Buckingham, Burgess, Solomon, Pirkis, & Eagar, 1998) through to its implementation into routine clinical practice. The paper will highlight clinician concerns and perceptions about the MHPoC and describes training that can demonstrate how the instrument can be used to support clinical practice. The paper will conclude with a discussion of the future of the instrument including its introduction into the National Outcomes and Casemix Collection along with the instrument’s further development and refinement.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objective 1: The audience at this session will leave with a better understanding of the mental health phase of care, its place in the AMHCC and clinicians views of the instrument
Learning Objective 2: The audience at this session will leave with appreciation of those factors that drive costs in mental health services and how mental health classification can support service improvement.
References
Buckingham, W., Burgess, P., Solomon, S., Pirkis, J., & Eagar, K. (1998). Developing a Casemix Classification for Mental Health Services. Volume 1: Main Report. Retrieved from http://www.amhocn.org/publications/developing-casemix-classification-mental-health-services-volume-1-main-report
Independent Hospital Pricing Authority. (2016). Australian Mental Health Care Classification Version 1.0 User Manual Retrieved from Sydney: https://www.ihpa.gov.au/publications/amhcc-user-manual
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