Evaluating the Better Access Initiative: What do Consumers Have to Say?

The Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative (Better Access) aims to improve outcomes for people with common mental disorders by encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to their mental health care. The current paper presents consumers' views on Better Access. A total of 936 consumers completed a structured survey or took part in an interview about their experiences with Better Access. Participants appreciated the fact that Better Access made psychological care affordable. They accessed services because they had clear mental health symptoms, often exacerbated by stressful life events. Most were impressed by the quality of care available through Better Access, and found that the number of available sessions was sufficient to meet their needs. Most importantly, the vast majority experienced significant reductions in symptoms and improvements in coping abilities, and they attributed these changes to the care they received through Better Access. Consumers are the most important stakeholders in any debate about mental health care delivery. However, until now they have not been well-represented in discussions about Better Access. Our study gave them the opportunity to air their views, and their first-hand impressions of the initiative were generally very positive.