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Table 2 Individual and cluster-level variables available for multivariable analysis

From: The PULSAR primary care protocol: a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial to test a training intervention for general practitioners in recovery-oriented practice to optimize personal recovery in adult patients

Variable

Description

Individual level

 Demographics

  Sex

Sex of patient.

  Age

Age of patient at survey completion date.

  Country of birth

Country of birth of patient.

  Ethnicity

Ethnic or cultural group that the patient identifies with.

  Main language

Main language spoken at home.

  Marital Status

Marital status of patient.

  Living situation

Current living situation of patient.

  Education

Education level of the patient.

 Health Economics

  Mental health medications

Medications for mental health taken regularly by the patient.

  Employment

Current working status of the patient.

  Income

Usual weekly income of patient, after tax, from all sources of employment.

  Days out of role

Number of days in the past month that the patient was totally or partly unable to carry out normal activities because of mental health problems.

  Days absent from work

Number of days in the past month that the patient was absent from work due to illness or disability, and due to mental health problems.

  Hospitalizations

Number of hospital admissions for physical problems and for mental health problems, including number of nights in total and reasons for most recent admissions.

  Consultations with health professionals

Number and length of consultations with health professionals for physical health and mental health problems.

  GUPI

The General-Practice Users’ Perceived-need Inventory is a one-page instrument developed to assess participants’ estimation of their needs for mental health care and the meeting of those needs.

Cluster level

 Cluster group

Allocated to receive the intervention at either Step 1 or Step 2.

 Intervention status (0/1)

A lag time of six months is anticipated until intervention effects are possible. The intervention status variable indicates that this lag time has passed.

 Dosage (%)

Intervention dosage.

 Time since intervention

All patient surveys are time-stamped in relation to the time the intervention was received at the cluster. Time value of “0” is given for the plus/minus three months from date of training; “1” for four-to-six months post training; “2” for seven-to-nine months post training, etc. Time value of “-1” for four-to-six months before training; “-2” for seven-to-nine months before training, etc.

 Time

Study month that survey was completed: “0” = December 2014, “1” = January 2015, etc.

Cluster level stratification variables

 Clinic type

Privately owned general practice vs community health center.

 GP clinic size

GP equivalent full time (EFT) size greater than 5 (yes/no).

 Clinic location

Local government area location: Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia, other.

 Specialist focus clinic

A specialist focus clinic (yes/no) was determined by more than 10% of the practice patients belonging to any of the following groups:

a. people with HIV/AIDS

b. people with enduring and serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)

c. people with permanent physical disabilities

d. people with addictions

e. homeless people

f. transient/seasonal populations

g. people living in poverty

h. Aboriginal peoples

i. recent immigrants (six months or less)

j. people from cultural minorities

k. people with sports injuries

l. other