• Ronald A Remick, Yuriko Araki, Robin Bruce, Chris Gorman, Judy Allen, Abigail K Remick, and Scott A Lear.
• Medical Director, Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia Psychiatric Urgent Care Program, Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Can J Psychiatry. 2014 Apr 1;59(4):220-7.

ObjectiveTo describe an alternative model of psychiatric outpatient care for patients with mood and anxiety disorders (the Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia Psychiatric Urgent Care Program or the MDA Program) using group medical visits (GMV) and (or) email communications in lieu of individual follow-up appointments.MethodAnnual costs of the MDA Program were compared with average costs of private psychiatrists offering outpatient care and patients being treated in a mental health centre. In addition, questionnaires as to patient satisfaction with the MDA Program intake, GMV experience, and family physician satisfaction with the MDA Program were administered.ResultsThe MDA Program model of care is significantly more cost effective than individual psychiatric outpatient care or health authority mental health centre care for patients with moderate or severe illness. Patients and family physicians were very satisfied with the model of care and GMVs offered.ConclusionsThe MDA Program model of care appears to be efficient and cost-effective, and patients and referring physicians appear satisfied with the care offered in this program.

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