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Utilisation of mental health services and costs of patients with schizophrenia in three areas of Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Josep Maria Haro ,
Luis Salvador-Carulla ,
Juan Cabasés ,
Vicente Madoz ,
José Luis Vázquez-Barquero  and
PSICOST Group
Josep Maria Haro*
Affiliation:
Centre de Salut Mental de Gavà, Sant Joan de Déu-SSM, Barcelona, Spain
Luis Salvador-Carulla
Affiliation:
Centro de Investigacíon en Minusvalías, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain
Juan Cabasés
Affiliation:
Departamento de Economía, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Spain
Vicente Madoz
Affiliation:
Fundación Argibide, Navarra, Spain
José Luis Vázquez-Barquero
Affiliation:
Unidad de Investigación en Psiquiatría Social, Universidad de Cantabria, Spain
*
Josep Maria Haro, CSM Gavà, Sant Joan de Déu-SSM, Sarría 13-15, E-08850 – Gavá. Barcelona, Spain. Tel: 3493-662-51-52; Fax: 3493-662-55-56; e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

The analysis of the costs of schizophrenia and its treatment under different mental health care structures will facilitate the improved allocation of the limited resources available for the treatment of schizophrenia. The research we present compares health service use and total health care costs of three cohorts of subjects with schizophrenia which are representative of three areas of Spain (Burlada in Navarra, Cantabria and the Eixample of Barcelona).

Method

We selected first-time contacts with any psychiatric service who received a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Subjects were evaluated in the third year after onset.

Results

The mean number of out-patient visits per patient per year was 10.7 and the mean in-patient days were 9.5. The mean direct cost per patient in the third year of treatment was US$2243. Costs were higher for single subjects and for people who had a relapse. Costs of subjects with better functioning were lower than costs of subjects with a worse state.

Conclusions

Direct costs of care in Spain were lower than the reported figures from other western European countries. Costs were greater in the two centres with greater community mental health service development. Some of the findings may be explained by service availability.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 173 , Issue 4 , October 1998 , pp. 334 - 340
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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