Standardized description and classification of mental health services in Spain: The European Service Mapping Schedule

Objectives. To adapt the European Service Mapping Schedule (ESMS) for use in Spain and assess the quality of this schedule.Method. Following linguistic and conceptual translation, 77 services in four Spanish catchment areas were described. Feasibility (applicability, acceptability and practicality), descriptive validity and overall percentage agreement were assessed.Results. ESMS feasibility was considered adequate. The tree system facilitates reporting and comparison of data. Face, content and discriminant validity are adequate for almost all services. The overall reliability was high but completion of the service utilisation section required expert supervision. The ESMS revealed large differences in service availability and utilisation in the four selected catchment-areas.Conclusion. The ESMS has proved useful for describing mental health services in Spain, and facilitates comparisons between catchment areas.293 p