Abstract
The aims of this study are to evaluate and describe mental health workforce and capacity, and to describe the relationship between workforce capacity and patterns of care in local areas. We conducted a comparative demonstration study of the applicability of an internationally validated standardised service classification instrument-the Description and Evaluation of Services and Directories-DESDE-LTC) using the emerging mental health ecosystems research (MHESR) approach. Using DESDE-LTC as the framework, and drawing from international occupation classifications, the workforce was classified according to characteristics including the type of care provided and professional background. Our reference area was the Australian Capital Territory, which we compared with two other urban districts in Australia (Sydney and South East Sydney) and three benchmark international health districts (Helsinki-Uusima (Finland), Verona (Italy) and Gipuzkoa (Spain)). We also compared our data with national level data where available. The Australian and Finnish regions had a larger and more highly skilled workforce than the southern European regions. The pattern of workforce availability and profile varied, even within the same country, at the local level. We found significant differences between regional rates of identified rates of psychiatrists and psychologists, and national averages. Using a standardised classification instrument at the local level, and our occupational groupings, we were able to assess the available workforce and provide information relevant to planners about the actual capacity of the system. Data obtained at local level is critical to providing planners with reliable data to inform their decision making.
Highlights
Ensuring that health systems have sufficient availability and distribution of appropriately skilled workers is critical if they are to function as intended, and to meet challenges as they arise
In Australia, the recent Productivity Commission report has called for a skilled mental health workforce that is responsive to local need
We describe the relationship of the workforce capacity to patterns of regional care provision, and conduct a comparative demonstration study of its applicability in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), two other urban health districts in Australia (Sydney and South East Sydney) and three benchmark international urban health districts in Europe (Helsinki-Usimaa (Finland), Gipuzkoa (Spain) and Verona (Italy))
Summary
Ensuring that health systems have sufficient availability and distribution of appropriately skilled workers is critical if they are to function as intended, and to meet challenges as they arise. Access to current and accurate workforce data is even more critical in mental healthcare due to its complexity—the number of different types of care and of professionals across different sectors of care—especially as it transitions from a hospital to a balanced model of service delivery; and the challenges of chronic underfunding, inequity of human resource distribution, and difficulties with recruitment and retention of staff [2, 4,5,6,7,8]. In Australia, the recent Productivity Commission report has called for a skilled mental health workforce that is responsive to local need It identified a need for more psychiatrists and mental health nurses, especially in regional and rural areas, a strengthened peer workforce, and the importance of building on the capacity of the indigenous workforce. These improvements should include the availability of “standardised and comparable data at all levels” to compare workforce availability and capacity, and redress inequities in workforce distribution; an understanding of workforce characteristics; and integrating workforce strategy with service and infrastructure planning by aligning key system characteristics such as the availability and location of practitioners with consumer need [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
