1. PHN and Service Providers Resources
The following resources have been provided to assist PMHC MDS users at Primary Health Networks and Service Providers.
1.1. User Documentation
The PMHC MDS User Documentation provides MDS users with online guidance on how to navigate and use the MDS once they have been granted access and assigned user roles at an organisation in the MDS. It also provides information about the counting rules used to produce the various reports.
1.2. PMHC MDS Data Specifications
The PMHC MDS Data Specifications documentation site defines what data items are collected in the PMHC MDS, what file formats are accepted for upload and associated reporting requirements.
1.3. Ongoing questions and answers
The ongoing questions and answers document provides the Department’s responses to issues raised by PHNs about the PMHC MDS. It will be updated regularly as new issues are raised by PMHC MDS users.
1.4. Guidance on client consent
The guidance on client consent (April 2024) provides suggested wording that PHNs may wish to include in client consent forms provided to referrers and providers to obtain consent from their clients for anonymised data to be supplied to the PHN and the Department of Health for statistical purposes in planning and improving mental health services.
1.5. Inital Assessment and Referral Decision Suport Tool (IAR-DST)
With the introduction of the PMHC MDS Version 4 data specifiction, the IAR-DST can now be collected as part of the Intake process.
1.6. Outcome measures and scoring rules
The following resources provide examples of each of the outcome measures and an explanation of how they are scored.
1.6.1. Kessler 10+ (K10+)
Scoring the Kessler-10 Plus provides a copy of the K10+ and an explanation of how it is scored.
1.6.2. Kessler 5 (K5)
Scoring the Kessler-5 provides a copy of the K5 and an explanation of how it is scored.
1.6.3. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief questionnaire for 4-17 year olds developed by Goodman et al in the United Kingdom. The SDQ has 25 items divided between 5 scales: emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems a nd prosocial behaviour. Read a brief overview of the SDQ.
The SDQ measures are copyright protected with copyright held by Robert Goodman of the UK-based Youthinmind organisation (https://youthinmind.com/). Specific conditions are attached to use of the SDQ measures, detailed at https://sdqinfo.org/. These include the requirement that no modifications are made to the content in any way. Paper versions may be downloaded and copied without charge subject to adherence to this condition.
While the paper forms may be downloaded and completed/scored manually, Youthinmind offers a commercial automated scoring service that requires users to register and pay on a per-use basis. Strict conditions are imposed to prevent users from creating or distributing electronic versions of the SDQ measures without specific agreement by Youthinmind.
The Australian Government Department of Health has entered into a licence agreement with Youthinmind to make available Australian versions of the SDQ that have been mandated for Australian Specialised and Primary Mental Health Care settings. These versions contain extra questions than the standard versions provided by Youthinmind. It is these versions are used for the PMHC MDS. They can be downloaded from the links below:
Scoring the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire provides an explanation of how the SDQ is scored.
1.7. Experience measures
1.7.1. YES PHN Survey
The YES PHN can be collected and stored in the PMHC MDS via OMSSS or collected separately and uploaded to the PMHC MDS.
The following documents are available via AMHOCN to assist with implementing the YES PHN:
Your Experience of Service Primary Health Network (YES PHN) Survey
Your Experience of Service Primary Health Network Survey Guidance for Use
Development of the Your Experience of Service (YES) Survey for Primary Health Networks (PHNs)
Reporting domains of the experience of service measures: YES, YES CMO, YES PHN, CES
1.8. Online Measures Self Service System (OMSSS)
The OMSSS is an online service funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (the department) as part of the Primary Mental Health Care Minimum Data Set (PMHC MDS). It allows clients of PHN-commissioned mental health services to complete the standardised measures mandated in the PMHC MDS and have the results reported back to their service providers.
1.9. Overview of purpose, design, scope and key decision issues
The overview paper is a historical document that outlines the approach taken in the design of the PMHC MDS and associated reporting arrangements.
1.10. Service Provider Quick Reference Guide
The Primary Mental Healthcare Minimum Data Set (PMHC MDS) Service Provider QUICK REFERENCE Guide is a resource intended to describe key issues and concepts related to the collection of, and provision of data to, the PMHC MDS for mental health service providers. For more detailed information regarding the PMHC MDS, see the PMHC MDS Data Specifications.
There are two versions of the PMHC MDS Service Provider Quick Reference Guide:
If you are a service provider, it is recommended that you use the PDF version of the PMHC MDS Service Provider Quick Reference Guide produced by the Department of Health.
If you are a Primary Health Network, you can use the Word version of the PMHC MDS Service Provider Quick Reference Guide to tailor some of the information to your local context.
1.11. PMHC MDS News Mailing list
If you would like to be notified about updates to the specifications or announcements about the development of the PMHC MDS please send an email to support@pmhc-mds.com with the subject “Subscribe news@lists.pmhc-mds.com”.
This is not a general discussion list. Only moderated users can send messages to this list.