Problem maps
Among the most important results of project was an analysis of the existing situation from the aspect of the mental health status of the population of each of the six micro-regions covered by the intervention and the factors affecting it, and the preparation of a Problem Map. The Problem Map enabled an assessment of the ratios and indicators relating to the mental health status of those living in the micro-regions concerned, the socio-demographic risks and protective factors affecting it along with the availability and capacity data of the related health services.
In each of the micro-regions, the local problem maps revealed that there are a number of unique local characteristics in the individual areas (like prominent alcohol misuse, salient suicidality, or specific local problems of the healthcare system), which might be tackled by local activity plans. In the meantime, there are some general, ubiquituous issues, like inadequate mental health awareness of the general population and negative public attitudes (e.g. suicide ratios in the Csongrád micro-region, relative to the number of hospitalised patients). All this confirmed the justification of the project primarily based on knowledge transfer regarding mental health.
Good practices
In the process of good practice mapping and evaluation, one of our goals was to identify good practices contributing to the mental health promotion of the given locations, which thereafter were processed through a system of methodological and technical analysis, the result of which might yield a recommendation for further development; moreover, in the case of adequate preparedness, it might mean a recommendation for national dissemination of the good practice concerned, along with funding. Accordingly, a system for exploration and evaluation was worked out (5-star system).
The experts participating in the project worked out, at the level of a procedural regime, evidence levels that can be used in further improving the support of sponsors’ decision-making processes, also applicable in the 4-star and 5-star programmes.
Our results relating to good practices indicate that evidence-based good practices are most likely present in all locations; however, the evaluation of their effectiveness, and dissemination planning, are unmet needs in most locations. In the meantime, good practices might greatly contribute to the processes of preventive services in the healthcare value chain, and they might reduce the burden on healthcare in the long term.
In the process of assessing and evaluating the operational models of the MHPCs for legislation and budgeting, the most viable model appeared to be that with the MHPCs functioning as part of the HPO networks, as either healthcare service units, or standalone health promotion service units (either way, operating under the terms of the Healthcare Act). During a transient period of fixed funding, definitive criteria of future performance-based funding should be developed, to which the performance indicator system of the current project may serve as a good starting point.