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Cost-effectiveness analysis of a home-based social work intervention for children and adolescents who have deliberately poisoned themselves

Results of a randomised controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Sarah Byford ,
Richard Harrington ,
David Torgerson ,
Michael Kerfoot ,
Elizabeth Dyer ,
Val Harrington ,
Adrine Woodham ,
Julia Gill  and
Faye McNiven
Sarah Byford*
Affiliation:
Centre for Health Economics, University of York
Richard Harrington
Affiliation:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester
David Torgerson
Affiliation:
Centre for Health Economics, University of York
Michael Kerfoot
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Mathematics Building, University of Manchester, Manchester
Elizabeth Dyer
Affiliation:
Central Manchester Health Care Trust, Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, The Winnicott Centre, Manchester
Val Harrington
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Mathematics Building, University of Manchester, Manchester
Adrine Woodham
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Mathematics Building, University of Manchester, Manchester
Julia Gill
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Mathematics Building, University of Manchester, Manchester
Faye McNiven
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Mathematics Building, University of Manchester, Manchester
*
Sarah Byford, Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York YOI 5DD. Fax: 01904 433644; e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Little evidence exists regarding the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of alternative treatment services in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Aims

To assess the cost-effectiveness of a home-based social work intervention for young people who have deliberately poisoned themselves.

Method

Children aged ⩽16 years, referred to child mental health teams with a diagnosis of deliberate self-poisoning were randomly allocated to either routine care (n=77) or routine care plus the social work intervention (n=85). Clinical and resource-use data were assessed over six months from the date of trial entry.

Results

No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the main outcome measures or costs. In a sub-group of children without major depression, suicidal ideation was significantly lower in the intervention group at the six-month follow-up (P=0.01), with no significant differences in cost.

Conclusions

A family-based social work intervention for children and adolescents who have deliberately poisoned themselves is as cost-effective as routine care alone.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 174 , Issue 1 , January 1999 , pp. 56 - 62
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

Research supported by the Department of Health, London.

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