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Costing depression and its management: an Australian study.
1School of Psychiatry, The University of New South Wales, and Mood Disorders Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia. g.parker@unsw.edu.au
Summary
Referral to a Mood Disorders Unit (MDU) reduced patient costs, unlike controls whose costs rose. Depression
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Health Economics
Background:
- Depression incurs significant costs.
- Evaluating the economic impact of specialized mental health services is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of referral to a Mood Disorders Unit (MDU).
- To compare pre- and post-service costs for MDU patients versus a control group.
Main Methods:
- Tertiary referral MDU patients and consultant-managed depressed patients were compared.
- Costs were analyzed for 12 months pre- and 6 months post-baseline, with annualization.
- Patient-reported 'personal cost' of depression was also assessed.
Main Results:
- MDU referrals experienced reduced costs post-assessment, while control costs increased.
- Hospitalization and social welfare costs significantly influenced the cost differences.
- Factors like early disorder stage, social welfare receipt, diagnosis, and personality dysfunction correlated with higher costs.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a methodology for evaluating the cost-efficiency of specialized mental health services.
- While MDU referrals showed cost reductions, further research is needed for definitive conclusions on MDU cost-efficiency.