A case study: using integrated care pathways in mental health care

Background: Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) are prearranged processes of care which are being increasingly used to deliver mental health services. The literature reveals difficulties in their development and implementation, and a lack of empirical evidence to support their use. Aims: The aim of this research was to investigate how an ICP has been used to manage mental health care in one selected mental health Trust in England. Methods: A case study approach was adopted with several units of analysis. The views of healthcare professionals using semi structured interviews; the experiences of service users and carers using focus groups; contrasting hospital episode and performance statistics with a comparison Trust and documentary analysis of the ICP. Findings & Discussion: Of the healthcare professions, only nurses used the ICP. No professionals used the ICP to support clinical decision making and risk management. However, just over two-thirds (67.2%) of the interventions described in the pathway were delivered. There was no statistically significant difference when comparing performance indicators for an equivalent episode of care between the ICP Trust and non ICP Trust. Service user and carers' experiences revealed that peopled did not feel that their care was individualised to them, although amongst them they had different perceptions of the care process. Conclusions: Mental health ICPs need to reflect the relationships between stakeholders, variability of illness and individual ways of living if they are to provide a framework for managing care in the future that accords with the needs of people using mental health services