Back to Institute News" Use of Mail Surveys to Evaluate “Continuity of Care” for Medicaid Enrollees Discharged from Florida’s State Mental Hospitals"
For people with serious mental illnesses, continuity of care describes the essential array of programs and supports they must receive to remain in their communities or return following a period of treatment at a state mental hospital, These include need for clean, affordable housing; reasonable access to the newest psychiatric and physical health medications; and competent, caring and timely assistance in linking with and participating in programs that offer best practices of medical, behavioral (mental health & substance abuse), vocational and social welfare services. The most disabling long-term effects of these illnesses occur when effective services are not available or consumers do not use them.
In partnership with Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI) at the University of South Florida has conducted several studies of availability, access, effectiveness and use of these important community based services for persons with serious mental illnesses. The researchers, John C.
Ward, Ph.D. & Timothy A. Boaz, Ph.D. conducted a five-stage mail survey procedure to
obtain information from 1267 Medicaid enrolled consumers who were discharged from Florida’s state mental hospitals during FY 2000-2001. The two-page survey requested
information about marital status, housing, employment, current mental and physical
health, perceived stigma related to mental illness, and use and satisfaction with aftercare services.
Mail surveys, such as these, may provide insights into important information not found in those data sources, e.g., use of non state-funded services. For example, about 20% of the responders reported receiving services from the private sector. It is possible that these “off-budget” providers may account for what appears to be an under reporting in the administrative data. Future data analysis may provide information to to determine if there is a “best continuity of aftercare service array” (e.g., housing placement and clinical services) that should be recommended for people with co-occurring psychiatric, physical health and substance abuse disorders enrolled in Medicaid following discharge from a state mental hospital.
The faculty and staff of the de la Parte Institute are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of the citizens of Florida through leadership in integrating research, theory & practice.
