A Comparison of Self-Referral and Referral via Primary Care Providers, through Two Similar Digital Mental Health Services in Western Australia

Lauren G. Staples, Nick Webb, Lia Asrianti, Shane Cross, Daniel Rock, Rony Kayrouz, Eyal Karin, Blake F. Dear, Olav Nielssen and Nickolai Titov
Additional contact information
Lauren G. Staples: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Nick Webb: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Lia Asrianti: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Shane Cross: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Daniel Rock: WA Primary Health Alliance, Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth 6907, Australia
Rony Kayrouz: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Eyal Karin: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Blake F. Dear: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Olav Nielssen: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Nickolai Titov: MindSpot and PORTS Clinics, MQ Health, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Digital mental health services (DMHSs) deliver mental health information, assessment, and treatment, via the internet, telephone, or other digital channels. The current study compares two DMHSs operating in Western Australia (WA)—The Practitioner Online Referral System (PORTS) and MindSpot. Both provide telephone and online psychological services at no cost to patients or referrers. However, PORTS is accessed by patients via referral from health practitioners, and is designed to reach those who are financially, geographically, or otherwise disadvantaged. In contrast, MindSpot services are available to all Australian residents and patients can self-refer. This observational study compares characteristics and treatment outcomes for patients of PORTS and MindSpot in WA. Eligible patients were people who resided in WA and registered with either clinic from January 2019 to December 2020. Results showed that PORTS patients were more likely to be older, male, and unemployed. They were less likely to report a tertiary education and were more likely to live in areas with higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. Despite these differences, treatment outcomes were excellent for patients from both clinics. Results provide further evidence for the accessibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of DMHSs regardless of referral pathway or patient characteristics.

Keywords: internet; telehealth; anxiety; depression; mental health; primary care; service utilization; implementation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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