Using data analytics and economic modelling to support population health planning and clinical management of mental health patients

Start Date

16 March 2021

End Date

22 May 2025

Project Participants

Curtin University, Department of Health Western Australia, WA Country Health Service, WA Primary Health Alliance

Tags: chronic disease management, data analytics, data linkage, health data, health equity, health system, healthcare access, mental health, pathology, population health, referral pathways, regional rural remote health, service utilisation

Opportunity

Mental health services hold large amounts of data that could help health authorities better understanding how consumers move through the health system and whether certain patterns of care produce optimal outcomes.

This project had an opportunity to analyse more than 15 years of linked health data in WA to generate evidence that could improve service planning and policy development towards better outcomes for those diagnosed with mental health conditions in WA.

Project Objectives

The aim of this project was to develop and use innovative methods for analysing large, linked datasets to

understand patterns of mental health service use in WA
identify patient care pathways and outcomes
explore variation in service delivery.

Publications

Refereed Journal ArticlePublished 28th June 2026Public Health Service Clinical Journeys of Patients With Primary Substance Use Disorders Who Are Subsequently Diagnosed With Non-Affective Psychotic Disorders
Full Publication
Refereed Journal ArticlePublished 30th August 2026Characterising Referral Pathways and Delays to Community Mental Health Services
Full Publication
Refereed Journal ArticlePublished 2nd June 2025Survival following psychiatric diagnoses in early adulthood
Full Publication
Refereed Journal ArticlePublished 5th February 2025Long-term chronic conditions in individuals with mental and behavioural disorders: A data linkage study
Full Publication
Refereed Journal ArticlePublished 4th September 2024Predicting anxiety treatment outcome in community mental health services using linked health administrative data
Full Publication
Refereed Journal ArticlePublished 12th June 2024Patterns of Mental Health Service Utilisation: A Population-Based Linkage of Over 17 Years of Health Administrative Records
Full Publication

Final Outcomes

The project delivered new evidence on mental health service utilisation, referral pathways, treatment outcomes, and comorbidity and mortality risks. The project also provided a greater understanding of privacy and governance aspects relating to linkage and usage of sensitive patient information. The team also delivered a report on regional variation in mental health care across WA to support stakeholder decision making at policy and clinical levels.

Impact and Benefits

The project strengthened understanding of mental health service delivery across WA and generated practical evidence for policymakers, clinicians and health services. Findings highlight opportunities to improve care coordination, support rural and remote health planning, enhance early intervention efforts and better integrate mental and physical healthcare. The work also demonstrates how linked health data can be used to support more informed policy and service decisions across Australia.

Media Appearances

Integrity, Excellence,
Teamwork and Authenticity

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