Clinical Alliance Development

Description
This project involved the development of a clinical alliance between ABIOS and a regional inpatient/consultation-liaison service for people with ABI and mental health diagnoses

Rationale
Meeting the needs of people with dual diagnosis ABI and mental health, particularly in regional or remote areas is challenging

Prevalence rates for co-morbid psychiatric disorders in ABI may be as high as 44%

Service system deficiencies exist in managing dual diagnosis mental health and ABI

Participants
Clinical staff of ABIOS, Walwaa and Kirwan

Key Features
ABIOS conducted 2 day training workshop in Townsville in 2004 highlighting clinical and service challenges

This training initiated discussions between the Kirwan ABI/mental health service and ABIOS 

Subsequent need assessment conducted across both services and clinical partnership formed

Funding
Internally funded by ABIOS, Walwaa and Kirwan

Research / Evaluation Strategies
Questionnaire evaluation of workshop

Participation in videoconferences, use of email lists
Annual needs assessment

Outputs and Outcomes
Clinical partnership was formed with Walwaa (ABI/mental health unit, Toowoomba) with monthly videoconferences focussed on case conference and review, education, information and resource sharing, service planning, peer review and support

ABI/mental health workshop held in Townsville

Video and print library established

Publications
There are no publications related to this project

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