Estimation of mental health care cost units for patients with schizophrenia

The disease-cost study, based on the study of cohorts of patients through their visits to the mental health system, requires knowledge on the cost of each health care unit. However, lack of standardized procedures limits the external validity of the results obtained. When methodological information regarding the procedures applied is available, it makes it possible to compare the internal validity and to understand the suppositions on which the cost estimations have been made.

Cost-units for the health care received by a cohort of patients diagnosed of schizophrenia were estimated. The study was performed by a community-based team and at several hospital premises belonging to the Andalusia Health Service. A sensitivity analysis was conducted whenever necessary.

Both in inpatients and outpatients care, personnel represents the biggest cost, this proportion being higher within the outpatient care. Among the professional categories the care given by the psychiatrists is the most expensive. Time load is similar for the different categories except for the psychiatrist.

Cost unit estimates are lower than that which has been published internationally and within Spain. However, the findings must be carefully considered due to the influence that the different methodological options may have.