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Cost-Effectiveness Index (CEI): A tool to help evaluate mental health programs

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Abstract

A method for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of mental health programs is presented. The method takes into account the profile of mental health services a patient receives, the frequency of each service and the relative costs of each service in relation to the change in a patient's clinical condition between entrance into and release from a treatment program. It can also be used to assess change over a specified time period. An example compares the cost-effectiveness index (CEI) for similar cohorts of schizophrenia patients treated in two 24-hour acute care psychiatric systems. The CEI can use either actual dollar costs, if known, or a relative value scale associated with different services. Its utility and weaknesses are discussed. The CEI is designed to alert management to differences in the relative cost-effectiveness of programs serving populations of similar patients. Identification of such differences can contribute to improvement in program functioning.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Department, Agnews State Hospital, University of California Brain Function Study Unit, San Jose, California

    Maurice Rappaport M.D., Ph.D. (is director)

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  1. Maurice Rappaport M.D., Ph.D.
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Rappaport, M. Cost-Effectiveness Index (CEI): A tool to help evaluate mental health programs. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 16, 97–110 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02521387

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02521387

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