Working Together to Deliver Person-Centred Care Within the Stepped Care Model: An Australian Multidisciplinary Perspective

Abstract

The Australian stepped care model (SCM) in primary mental healthcare aims to provide a structured, accessible and flexible approach to addressing mental health issues. This study, a subset of a broader study, explores the perspectives of multidisciplinary mental health professionals on the implementation and effectiveness of the SCM. Using an exploratory descriptive qualitative methodology, the study collected data from nine participants: mental health nurses, an occupational therapist, a psychologist, a social worker, psychiatrists and a care coordinator, all involved in an SCM. Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee (de-identified for review), and measures were implemented to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of all participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using reflective thematic analysis. Four main themes were developed from the reflexive thematic analysis: working together to deliver collaborative care, a flexible and personalised approach, complexities of navigating the model and stories of success: positive client outcomes. The multidisciplinary nature of the SCM facilitates a holistic approach to mental healthcare, ensuring comprehensive support for patients. However, workforce shortages and systemic issues present significant challenges. The study found that flexibility and personalisation allow the SCM to adapt to diverse patient needs, which enhances outcomes and satisfaction, though inconsistencies in service delivery remain. Navigating the SCM is complex, requiring better coordination and more precise guidelines to ensure smooth transitions between care levels. Despite these challenges, the SCM has demonstrated considerable success in improving patient outcomes. In conclusion, the SCM represents a promising primary mental healthcare approach, emphasising tailored, multidisciplinary care. The study highlights the need for continuous improvements which include addressing workforce shortages and enhancing coordination to maximise the SCM's impact and ensure sustainable mental health services in Australia. Future research with larger samples and quantitative data is recommended to evaluate further the SCM's effectiveness in Australia.