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Two weeks in the life of a community mental health team

a survey of case-mix and clinical activity in the north-west of Sheffield

Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, Northlands Community Health Centre, Southey Hill, Sheffield S5 6BE

Danitza Jadresic, Consultant Psychiatrist

Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, The Yews, Worrall Road, Sheffield S35 0AU

Anne Blaine, Day Services Manager, Louise Clancy, Clinical Psychologist, Noelle Leyshon, Community Occupational Therapist, Eileen McDonald, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Ian Sanderson, Social Worker, Moira Whiffin, Referrals Coordinator and Graham Spearing, Assistant Information Manager

Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust.

AIMS AND METHOD

The aim of the study was to determine whether diagnostic case-mix influenced the distribution of clinical activity within the community mental health team (CMHT). Information concerning every patient involved with the CMHT and every episode of clinical activity was collected over a 2-week period.

RESULTS

Data were obtained concerning 417 patients and 1744 corresponding episodes of clinical activity. Diagnostic case-mix significantly differed between the professions. The duration of episodes of clinical activity varied significantly according to the type of patients involved and whether or not direct face to face contact occurred.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Diagnostic case-mix, in addition to absolute numbers, should be considered when estimating the actual work generated by the different professions' case-loads. Patients with psychosis may place an increased time burden upon CMHT members.

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