The effectiveness of personal budgets for people with mental health problems: a systematic review. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Webber, Martin; Treacy, Samantha; Carr, Sarah; Clark, Mike; Parker, Gillian
• Is Part Of: Journal of mental health. Volume 23:Number 3(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 155
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: Mental health -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.3109/09638237.2014.910642
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8237

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background</italic>: Personal budgets are a key policy priority in adult social care in England and are expected to become increasingly important in the care of adults with mental health problems.</p> <p> <italic>Aims</italic>: This article systematically reviews evidence for the effectiveness of personal budgets for people with mental health problems across diverse outcomes.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: The review, conducted in 2013, used the EPPI-Centre methodology for conducting a systematic review informed by Social Care Institute for Excellence guidelines. Data were extracted from studies and combined using meta-synthesis.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Fifteen studies were included in the review which found mostly positive outcomes in terms of choice and control, quality of life, service use and cost-effectiveness. However, methodological limitations make these findings rather unreliable and insufficient to inform personal budgets policy and practice for mental health service users.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Further high quality studies are required to inform policy and practice for mental health service users, which lags behind other adult social care groups in the use of personal budgets.</p> </abstract>