Grant: Operating Grant: SPOR PIHCI Network: Quick Strikes

"Hotspotting" is the growing trend to identify people who are very expensive for the healthcare system. Many of these people are frequent users of healthcare services, and have complex needs that are not adequately addressed by the services that are currently available. The proposed research addresses one category of high cost healthcare user: people with complex mental health and addiction issues (MHA). The research will investigate the characteristics of these MHA users to gain an understanding of why some become so costly for the healthcare system. The research will use statistical analyses to chart and understand the trajectories of expensive MHA users through the Saskatchewan and Ontario healthcare systems. The ultimate goal of the research is to improve the health care management of people with MHA so that the system will address their needs proactively instead of reactively.