Promoting mental health through multidisciplinary care: Experience of health professionals working in community mental health teams in Ireland

International mental health policy recommends that community-based mental health care is the optimal service provision marking a distinct departure from institutions. In Ireland, it is envisioned that this care be provided by Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), where multidisciplinary health professionals all play a key role in promoting client mental wellbeing. However, recent reports indicate that implementation of the community-based care approach has been less than optimal. This research explored CMHTs' perspectives and experience of community-based care; it also examined their awareness of specific key performance indicators (KPIs) that can monitor their provision of care. A total of 738 health professionals working in 70 CMHTs across the nation were surveyed. The results indicated little multidisciplinary input from CMHTs in the provision of mental health care. In addition, the findings indicated that having clear KPIs did not represent a priority for a large number of respondents.