New Service Model for Common Mental Disorders in Hong Kong: a Retrospective Outcome Study

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• The Common Mental Disorder Clinic model was implemented in Hong Kong to address mental health needs.
• Early evaluation is crucial for understanding the model's effectiveness and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the initial 8-month outcomes of the Common Mental Disorder Clinic model.
• To assess patient exit status and improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team (psychiatrist, nurse, occupational therapist) provided individualized treatment plans.
• Low-intensity interventions and optional psychologist-led sessions were offered.
• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) assessed symptom severity at baseline and follow-up.

Main Results:

• 1325 patients received services; 533 completed treatment (mean age 52.6).
• Significant reductions in mean PHQ-9 (11.06 to 7.55) and GAD-7 (9.94 to 6.54) scores were observed (p < 0.001).
• High rates of recovery (42.4% PHQ-9 normal, 48.2% GAD-7 normal) and favorable exit statuses (54.4% discharged without follow-up, 17.3% stepped down) were achieved.

Conclusions:

• The Common Mental Disorder Clinic model demonstrated encouraging early outcomes.
• The model led to shortened waiting times, reduced symptom severity, and improved patient exit status.
• High recovery and step-down rates indicate the model's effectiveness.