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

To review the first 8-month outcome of the Common Mental Disorder Clinic model in Hong Kong in terms of patient exit status and improvement in depressive and anxiety symptoms.

During the first appointment, patients were interviewed by a multidisciplinary team comprising a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse, and an occupational therapist. A multidisciplinary case conference was conducted to discuss clinical observations, diagnosis, issues of concern, and the optimal individualised treatment plan. Low-intensity interventions by nurses and/or occupational therapists were provided, as were optional, time-limited, protocol-based interventions by clinical psychologists for those with mild to moderate depressive and anxiety symptoms. Pharmacological intervention may be used when indicated. Upon completion of the treatment plan, patients were reassessed by the treating psychiatrist. Discharge options included discharge without psychiatric follow-up, step-up to psychiatric outpatient clinics, and step-down services. The self-administered Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) were used to assess the past 2 weeks' depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively, at baseline and at each session.

From July 2015 to February 2016, 1325 Chinese patients received the new service. Of them, 170 men and 363 women (mean age, 52.6 years) completed the treatment plan. After treatment, their mean PHQ-9 score decreased from 11.06 to 7.55 (p < 0.001), and the mean GAD-7 score decreased from 9.94 to 6.54 (p < 0.001). After treatment, 42.4% and 48.2% of the patients were within the normal range of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, respectively, compared with 16.9% and 20.8% before treatment. The mean time to implementation of the individualised treatment plan was 82.33 days. Of the patients, 54.4% were discharged without any need for medical or psychiatric follow-up; 28% were stepped up to psychiatric outpatient clinics; and 17.3% were stepped down. The predictors of exit status were whether psychiatric medication was prescribed during initial intake (p = 0.011), whether psychiatric medication was prescribed at last follow-up (p < 0.001), the service period (p = 0.010), and the GAD-7 final score (p = 0.005).

The first 8-month outcome of the new service model was encouraging, with shortened waiting time, reduced severity of symptoms, and better exit status (high recovery and step-down rates).