Assessment of care provision integration in a community-based mental health system: balanced care model implementation in Andalusia (Spain)

A global analysis of MH system performance was carried out, including both the successive integration of different types of care and its spatial evolution. Although an appropriate integration of different types of MH care has a positive effect on the Andalusian MH system, this process has different profiles depending on specific geographically based user and socioeconomic characteristics. The balanced care model can be considered the paradigm for assessing the performance of a large and populated territory such as Andalusia, which has a community-based MH system. This methodological approach (performance assessment and spatial analysis) may be used as a guide for developing future evidence-informed policies and managerial interventions.