Journal article
Australian primary mental health care: improving access and outcomes
Justine R Fletcher, Jane E Pirkis, Bridget Bassilios, Fay Kohn, Grant A Blashki, Philip M Burgess
Australian Journal of Primary Health | CSIRO PUBLISHING | Published : 2009
DOI: 10.1071/PY08072
Abstract
The progressive achievements over time of the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) component of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program are examined using a web-based, purpose-designed minimum dataset that collects provider-, consumer- and session-level data on the projects. Findings indicate that the ATAPS projects have established themselves over time as a cornerstone of mental health service provision in Australia. Despite the more recent introduction of the complementary Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule program, the ATAPS projects have continued, since 2001, to attract substantial numbers o..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This work was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, which also made available the Medicare Benefits Scheme data for the Better Access program. The authors would also like to express their gratitude to Strategic Data Pty Ltd for developing the minimum dataset and the Divisions of General Practice for managing the ATAPS projects.