Objective: Consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) services are particularly susceptible to heterogeneity, developing haphazardly in response to local interests and perceived need. This hampers the generalisability of comparisons between services in terms of service models, resource requirements and outcome data. The objective of this paper therefore is to chronicle the development of a method to meaningfully describe, map and compare different CLP services.
Method: A review of the literature was followed by multiple site visits in both New Zealand and England, and an extended process of consultation and feedback.
Results: Sixteen dimensions common to CLP services were extracted to create a multi-dimensional matrix (mMAX-LP) which had three broad clusters (structure, coverage and relationship with physical health services). The model was applied and discussed with the previously visited hospitals over the succeeding five years. Additionally, the matrix was tested, and its utility demonstrated during the planned reconfiguration of CLP services at a large teaching hospital in South Auckland, New Zealand by tracking the evolution of CLP services.
Conclusions: mMAX-LP shows promise as a useful model for profiling and comparing CLP services; mapping their evolution over time; and sign-posting future service development.
Keywords: consultation-liaison psychiatry; mMAX-LP; psychological medicine; psychosomatic medicine.