Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40148880›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

Clients' experiences of receiving service navigation for mental health support in primary care: findings from a mixed-methods evaluation.

Megan Rattray, Tania Shelby-James

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Megan RattrayDiscipline of General Practice, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia. megan.rattray@flinders.edu.au.
Tania Shelby-JamesDiscipline of General Practice, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe 'Service Navigation Measure' (SNM) initiative was introduced in 2020 as part of Commonwealth Psychosocial supports delivered through the Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in Australia. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of clients who received this initiative.

methodsAn exploratory sequential mixed method study was undertaken in the Australian primary care setting. Quantitative data, which involved closed-ended questions, were collected via a survey. Qualitative data were then collected through open-ended questions in the survey and during one-on-one, semi-structured interviews. This data was collected from clients (consumers, families, carers, and health practitioners) who accessed the service one or more times for mental health support. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Methodological triangulation was employed to enhance the validity and credibility of the findings. This involved thematically analysing the qualitative data to identify emergent themes and sub-themes, and aligning the quantitative data, which were summarised using frequency (%), to these findings where appropriate.

resultsA total of 349 clients (159 consumers, 43 family members, 70 carers or support workers, 72 health practitioners, 7 unknown) completed the survey and 8 of these participated in a follow-up interview (7 consumers and 1 health practitioner). Three overarching themes emerged from the data: (i) Receiving helpful and timely support, (ii) Appreciating empathetic and understanding support, and (iii) Valuing and enhancing follow-up support.

conclusionsClients expressed overwhelmingly positive experiences, attributing their satisfaction to timely, helpful, and empathetic support, as well as the vital role of follow-up care. This appreciation extended not only to individuals facing mental health challenges but also to the carers and healthcare practitioners seeking information for those under their care. By incorporating these insights into service navigation practices, healthcare systems may enhance their ability to address the mental health needs of their communities, potentially contributing to improved experiences and outcomes for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Indexed as

Mental DisordersMental Health ServicesPatient NavigationPatient SatisfactionPrimary Health CareAdultAgedAustraliaFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesMental healthPsychosocial supportService evaluationService navigation

Identifiers

PMID40148880
PMCPMC11948767

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.