> Resources and Publications > PHC RIS infonet > February 2007 > Evaluating access to allied psychological services project

Evaluating the access to allied psychological services project

Demand Management Strategies

Naccarella, L¹., Morley. B¹., Kohn, F¹., Pirkis,J¹., Blashki,G¹., & Burgess, P ²

1. Program Evaluation Unit, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne
2. Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, School of Population Health, University of Queensland

The Program Evaluation Unit at the School of Population Health, University of Melbourne , has produced eight interim evaluation reports. Collectively, these reports indicate that the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPs) projects have improved access to high quality psychological care for people whose access might have been restricted by barriers such as cost. However, projects report struggling to meet demand, with GP referrals outstripping the capacity of projects to provide psychological services.

The Ninth Interim Evaluation report examined the demand management strategies that Divisions have used, and how well strategies were working, using a brief survey that was completed by project officers of the 108 ATAPs projects in late August, 2006.

The most commonly-used demand management strategies were: informing/training GPs, putting in place systems and/or administrative procedures, and monitoring and limiting referrals. The majority of projects used a combination of demand management strategies, employing a range of approaches within each strategy. Monitoring and limiting referrals and putting in place systems and/or administrative procedures were ranked as the most useful strategies. A common feature of the demand management strategies was that they were underpinned by strong partnerships and solid infrastructure.

Overall the ATAPs projects are using a broad range of demand management strategies, and the majority are using multiple strategies in combination. Strategies tend to be supply-side strategies instituted at the point where the consumer makes contact with the GP and/or approaches the GP-allied health professional interface, rather than demand-side strategies aimed at the patient-practice interface. Current strategies appear to be working reasonably well as long as they are supported by good collaborations and appropriate infrastructure, although there are concerns that the need for demand management strategies reflects broader resourcing issues that can impact on providers' morale and consumers' satisfaction.

The Ninth Interim Evaluation report is available on the evaluation support website:
Web: boimhc.org/ or requested via
E: support@boimhc.org