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BackgroundCross-cultural comparison of mental health service utilisation and costs is complicated by the heterogeneity of service systems. For data to be locally meaningful yet internationally comparable, a carefully constructed approach to its collection is required.AimsTo develop a research method and instrument for the collection of data on the service utilisation and related characteristics of people with mental disorders, as the basis for calculating the costs of care.MethodVarious approaches to the collection of service use data and key stages of instrument development were identified in order to select the most appropriate methods.ResultsBased on previous work, and following translation and cross-cultural validation, an instrument was developed: the Client Socio-Demographic and Service Receipt Inventory – European Version (CSSRI–EU). This was subsequently administered to 404 people with schizophrenia across five countries.ConclusionThe CSSRI – EU provides a standardised yet adaptable method for collating service receipt and associated data alongside assessment of patient outcomes.

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Comparative analyses of the use and cost of mental health services can highlight existing variations helpfully in service provision and uptake. Methodological consistency is required if meaningful conclusions are to be drawn from such comparative data.