The Australian mental health system: An economic overview and some research issues
2008

Economic Overview of Australia's Mental Health System

Commentary Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Ruth FG Williams, DP Doessel

Primary Institution: Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

Hypothesis

What are the key economic characteristics of Australia's mental health system?

Conclusion

The study highlights significant economic issues and gaps in the understanding of Australia's mental health system.

Supporting Evidence

  • Public psychiatric institutions have seen a decrease in long-term care due to deinstitutionalisation.
  • Private psychiatry services have not seen a rise in gross fees since 1984.
  • Utilisation rates for mental health services vary significantly between different states in Australia.

Takeaway

This article talks about how mental health services in Australia are organized and funded, and points out that there are many problems that need to be fixed.

Methodology

The article provides conceptual and empirical descriptions of mental health services in Australia, focusing on economic characteristics and issues.

Limitations

The study notes a lack of empirical results to quantify the discussed effects and highlights gaps in economic studies of the mental health sector.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1752-4458-2-4

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