Table 1 ECHO continuity of care factor structure and components

1

Experience and relationships

High experienced continuity, good therapeutic relationship, a greater proportion of needs met and not having a user-rated break in care.

• CONTINU-UM ^b

• STAR total score – any professional ^c

• Proportion of needs met

• Any user-rated breaks in care

2

Regularity

Being seen more frequently by staff from fewer different non-medical disciplines.

• Average gap between face-to-face contacts

• Gaps of 2 months or more

• Non-medical input spread

3

Meeting needs

High level of need, high number of met needs and CPA copied to GP and user.

• CAN total level of needs ^d

• CAN number of met needs ^d

• CPA copied to GP and user ^e

4

Consolidation

Having contact with fewer different agencies and not seeing primary care professionals.

• Number of agencies used in previous year

• Contacts with primary care professionals

5

Managed transitions

Having no transition, having a transition and it was documented. Having a transition that was undocumented

• Had a transition?

• Documented transition

6

Care Coordination

Having a designated care coordinator, having no psychiatrist or more than two and fewer needs met by informal carers.

• Designated care coordinators

• Designated psychiatrists

• CAN total level of needs met by informal carers ^d

7

Supported Living

Living in supported accommodation, attending day care and having more letters copied to the user.

• Supported accommodation

• Attendance at day centre or hospital

• Proportion of letters sent by CMHT or copied to user