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Service outcomes are concerned with overall health
system performance and the impact of service provision on the
users of services. The focus here is on the efficiency and effectiveness
of service provision in responding to the needs of people for
whom mental health services are funded to serve, measured at the
aggregate level rather than the individual consumer.
Service outcomes are the typical province of performance
indicators developed to assess the performance of health systems
and whether value for money has been achieved in relation to the
funds allocated. Service outcome measures include quantitative
and qualitative aspects of service provision and are designed
to address the question of 'who receives what services from whom
at what cost and with what effect'. (187)
Developing measures of service outcomes provides
critical information to policy makers to assist in making decisions
about resource allocation and how to develop services in the future.
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