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Research article
Service Demand for Psychological Interventions Among Australian adults: A Population Perspective
Imogen S Page
University of Queensland
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3089-4722
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This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Psychological interventions (PIs) are good practice treatment for both subthreshold and diagnosed mental disorders. Australia has implemented major reforms to expand the provision of subsidised psychological services for Australians with a diagnosed mental disorder. But there are gaps in knowledge about demand for PIs (i.e., use of and perceived need for PIs) across the population. This study uses nationally representative survey data to analyse demand for PIs in Australia. It also provides a method for analysing survey data to estimate demand for PIs when new survey data becomes available, along with suggestions to inform future survey development.
Methods
Nationally representative community survey respondents (n=8,841, 16–85 years) indicated their perceived need for nine types of help for mental health problems in the past 12 months, including three PIs (cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and counselling), and whether these needs were unmet, partially met, or fully met. Types of help were grouped as: PIs only; PIs plus other; and other only.
Results
7.9% (95%CI: 7.2–8.6) received PIs. Receipt of PIs was positively associated with higher education and consulting a mental health specialist. Twice as many respondents received PIs plus medication as compared to PIs only (4.2% vs. 2.0%). Almost half (45.4%, 95%CI 36.5–4.6) incurred out-of-pocket costs for treatment. The most common reason for partially met need for PIs was cost (24.8%, 95%CI 17.2–34.3); for unmet need, it was preference for self-management (33.9%, 95%CI 21.2–49.5). Perceived unmet need for PIs only (3.1%, 95%CI 2.1–4.6) or PIs plus other (5.2%, 95%CI 3.9%-6.9%) was lower than for other only (22.8%, 95%CI 18.7–27.6).
Conclusions
Continued reforms in Australia means that on-going monitoring of demand for PIs, using nationally representative data, is required. This study provides a baseline for comparison of the long-term effects of these reforms; this comparison may be undertaken using data from the third iteration of Australia’s NSMHWB, due for completion in 2020 – 2021.
Keywords
Psychological interventions, mental disorders, health services, survey, epidemiology, perceived need
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Revision
Version 1
Posted 28 Sep, 2020
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Review #3 received
Received 20 Dec, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 20 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 18 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 08 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 28 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 12 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 28 Sep, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 28 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 24 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 23 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 06 Sep, 2020
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Health Services Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Service Demand for Psychological Interventions Among Australian adults: A Population Perspective
Imogen S Page
University of Queensland
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3089-4722
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Revision
Version 1
Posted 28 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #3 received
Received 20 Dec, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 20 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 18 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 08 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 28 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 12 Oct, 2020
Editor assigned
On 28 Sep, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 28 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 24 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 23 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 06 Sep, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Psychological interventions (PIs) are good practice treatment for both subthreshold and diagnosed mental disorders. Australia has implemented major reforms to expand the provision of subsidised psychological services for Australians with a diagnosed mental disorder. But there are gaps in knowledge about demand for PIs (i.e., use of and perceived need for PIs) across the population. This study uses nationally representative survey data to analyse demand for PIs in Australia. It also provides a method for analysing survey data to estimate demand for PIs when new survey data becomes available, along with suggestions to inform future survey development.
Methods
Nationally representative community survey respondents (n=8,841, 16–85 years) indicated their perceived need for nine types of help for mental health problems in the past 12 months, including three PIs (cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and counselling), and whether these needs were unmet, partially met, or fully met. Types of help were grouped as: PIs only; PIs plus other; and other only.
Results
7.9% (95%CI: 7.2–8.6) received PIs. Receipt of PIs was positively associated with higher education and consulting a mental health specialist. Twice as many respondents received PIs plus medication as compared to PIs only (4.2% vs. 2.0%). Almost half (45.4%, 95%CI 36.5–4.6) incurred out-of-pocket costs for treatment. The most common reason for partially met need for PIs was cost (24.8%, 95%CI 17.2–34.3); for unmet need, it was preference for self-management (33.9%, 95%CI 21.2–49.5). Perceived unmet need for PIs only (3.1%, 95%CI 2.1–4.6) or PIs plus other (5.2%, 95%CI 3.9%-6.9%) was lower than for other only (22.8%, 95%CI 18.7–27.6).
Conclusions
Continued reforms in Australia means that on-going monitoring of demand for PIs, using nationally representative data, is required. This study provides a baseline for comparison of the long-term effects of these reforms; this comparison may be undertaken using data from the third iteration of Australia’s NSMHWB, due for completion in 2020 – 2021.
Figure 1