Statistical and Consensus-Based Strategies for Grouping Consumers in Mental Health Level-of-Care Schemes

Mental health Level-of-Care schemes differ in the emphasis placed on statistically based versus consensus-based strategies for delineating consumer groups. Statistical strategies define groups on the basis of empirical distinctions within the caseload. Consensus strategies group consumers according to an a priori framework of consumer characteristics determined by experts to differentiate the appropriate types and intensities of service. This article compares the performance of two grouping strategies—one statistical and one consensus—on three criteria: programmatic relevance, measurement adequacy, and homogeneity of consumer groups. It explores the advantages of integrating elements of each strategy.