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A survey of occupational therapists providing services under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative

Hitch, Danielle 2009, A survey of occupational therapists providing services under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative, Australian e-journal for the advancement of mental health, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1-10.

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Title A survey of occupational therapists providing services under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative
Author(s) Hitch, Danielle
Journal name Australian e-journal for the advancement of mental health
Volume number 8
Issue number 1
Start page 1
End page 10
Total pages 11
Publisher EContent Management Pty Ltd
Place of publication Adelaide, S. Aust.
Publication date 2009
ISSN 1446-7984
Keyword(s) occupational therapy
policy
national strategies
evaluation
primary health care
Summary The Australian government launched the Better Access to Mental Health initiative in 2006, to help more people access psychological therapies. Occupational therapists can register to offer these services, and this survey aimed to investigate their participation within the first 12 months of operation.
Two surveys were conducted with occupational therapists registered to offer Better Access to Mental Health services, at the six and twelve month mark of the initiative. These surveys collected both quantitative and qualitative data. While the demographic profile of occupational therapists remained stable across the surveys, the client population varied over time. Depression and anxiety were the most common conditions treated under this scheme. Occupational therapists reported generally positive attitudes towards the initiative, and did not identify any pressing training needs. However, the current rebate for services was a source of dissatisfaction for many respondents.
This survey has established a baseline for further investigation in this area. The provision and outcomes of this particular initiative needs to be a priority for future research to secure occupational therapy's place in this developing area of practice, thereby providing consumers with greater choice and access to intervention at a primary health level.
Language eng
Field of Research 110399 Clinical Sciences not elsewhere classified
111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
Socio Economic Objective 920209 Mental Health Services
HERDC Research category C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
ERA Research output type C Journal article
HERDC collection year 2009
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30032188

Document type: Journal Article
Collection: School of Health and Social Development
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Created: Mon, 10 Jan 2011, 14:33:09 EST by Penny Andrews