PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Lovell, Karina
AU  - Richards, David A
AU  - Bower, Peter
TI  - Improving access to primary mental health care: uncontrolled evaluation of a pilot self-help clinic.
DP  - 2003 Feb 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 133--135
VI  - 53
IP  - 487
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/53/487/133.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/53/487/133.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2003 Feb 01; 53
AB  - Psychological therapy is widespread in primary care, but demand often exceeds supply. Innovative self-help approaches may overcome some problems associated with access to therapists. The feasibility, acceptability, efficiency, and effectiveness of a fast-access mental health self-help clinic were examined in a pilot study. The therapist saw 159 patients in 16 months, and on average required only one hour per patient. Generally, patients who used the clinic were satisfied. They reported similar levels of distress at baseline as patients in traditional psychological therapy services, and comparable outcomes. The self-help clinic approach should be evaluated formally within a randomised controlled trial.