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The mental health residential care study: Predicting costs from resident characteristics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

D. Chisholm*
Affiliation:
Centre for the Economics of Mental Health (CEMH) Institute of Psychiatry, London
M. R. J. Knapp
Affiliation:
Centre for the Economics of Mental Health (CEMH) Institute of Psychiatry, London
J. Astin
Affiliation:
Centre for the Economics of Mental Health (CEMH) Institute of Psychiatry, London
P. Lelliott
Affiliation:
Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Unit (CRU) II Grosvenor Crescent, London
B. Audini
Affiliation:
Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Unit (CRU) II Grosvenor Crescent, London
*
D. Chisholm, Lecturer, CEMH, Institute of Psychiatry, 7 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8BB

Abstract

Background

Little information is available on the costs of residential care for people with mental health problems, and there are very few research data on how or why the costs of provision vary.

Method

As part of a broader study based on data collected from across the residential care sectors in eight districts and using multiple regression analysis, research has examined whether and which resident characteristics are associated with higher or lower costs.

Results

Resident characteristics account for approximately 21% of the observed variation in inter-resident costs. Separate analyses were conducted for people in the London and non-London districts. The resident characteristics that were found to be significant predictors of cost include: age, gender, ethnic group, history of psychiatric admissions, diagnosis, emotional lability, daily living skills, social interaction and network, aggression, suicidal tendencies, drug abuse and legal status. Examination of the residual ('unexplained') costs found significant differences between facility types, sectors (private and voluntary being less costly than public, other things being equal) and districts.

Conclusions

The associations uncovered by these analyses can inform commissioners' planning and purchasing activities, at both the macro and micro levels, by revealing those resident needs and circumstances that are associated with higher costs.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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