Outcomes focused service delivery: developing an academic-management partnership

Objective: Current mental health policies emphasise the need for services to be integrated and to develop outcomes-based evaluation systems. An overview of the challenges faced by service managers and clinical academics who develop the appropriate financial, personnel and academic infrastructure for these tasks is presented. Method: By drawing on experiences within the St George Service and references to other services, we propose a model for a successful partnership between the academic and management components of a district service. Results: Major logistic impediments to the development of a partnership are identified, although the long-term scientific and service delivery benefits are highlighted. Key areas within both academic practice and managerial approaches requiring transformation are discussed. Conclusions: A successful long-term partnership between management and an academic department within a district service may provide the opportunity for rapid progress in population-based service evaluation and health outcomes research.