Evaluation and adaptation of the Seamless Care Optimizing the Patient Experience Mental Health program

OBJECTIVE: To examine provider and patient usage, engagement, and experiences with the Seamless Care Optimizing the Patient Experience Mental Health (SCOPE-MH) program, as well as explore how the program has been adapted across hubs. DESIGN: This research used a multimethod study design conducted across 8 SCOPE-MH hubs between January 2021 and June 2023. SETTING: Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: SCOPE-MH staff, providers, and patients were included. Overall, 36 physicians and 44 patients completed surveys, and 29 interdisciplinary hub representatives participated in interviews. METHODS: Data collection were guided by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework and included a cross-sectional survey with providers and patients, along with qualitative interviews with SCOPE-MH staff. The evaluation focused on patient satisfaction, provider engagement, program effectiveness, and hub adaptations. Survey data were analyzed descriptively, while qualitative data, including pathway depictions, were analyzed using content analysis. MAIN FINDINGS: Survey responses from providers and patients at the inaugural SCOPE-MH hub demonstrated the program's positive impact on care and service delivery. Findings show that SCOPE-MH effectively linked unaffiliated providers to mental health resources and services. Analysis of interview data identified variations in staffing, services, and target populations compared to the pilot pathway, demonstrating potential for adaptation to meet diverse needs. CONCLUSION: The SCOPE-MH program improved primary care for mental health by facilitating access to resources and improving provider and patient experiences at the inaugural hub. Its adaptable model offers valuable insights for health care organizations designing or evaluating similar interventions. While findings from the pilot hub highlight the potential of such care models to enhance service delivery, evaluation in additional hubs is ongoing, and results from these subsequent implementations remain preliminary.