Alberto Rossi1, Francesco Amaddeo, Marco Sandri, Michele Tansella. 1. Dept. of Medicine and Public Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Ospedale Clinico, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. alberto.rossi@medicina.unvr.it
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study examined variables associated with patients who had a once-only contact with the out-patient department of a Community Mental Health Service (CMHS). METHODS: Using the South-Verona Psychiatric Case Register (PCR), an 8-year cohort of patients who had a new episode of care with the out-patient department of the South Verona CMHS was followed up for 3 months after the first contact, to identify those patients who had no further contact with the service. Potential determinants of once-only contact were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 2,446 new episodes of care met the inclusion criteria of the study. Of those, 734 (30%) were once-only contacts with the service. Compared to patients with more than one contact, patients who had a once-only contact were older, more likely to be male, had a lower socio-economic status and less severe psychiatric diagnosis. They were more likely to be referred by consultation/liaison or emergency room. CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate analysis revealed that having a less severe psychiatric diagnosis was the most significant determinant of once-only contact with a CMHS. The results suggest that the behaviour of referring agents in selecting patients and preparing them for treatment merits further investigation.
BACKGROUND: This study examined variables associated with patients who had a once-only contact with the out-patient department of a Community Mental Health Service (CMHS). METHODS: Using the South-Verona Psychiatric Case Register (PCR), an 8-year cohort of patients who had a new episode of care with the out-patient department of the South Verona CMHS was followed up for 3 months after the first contact, to identify those patients who had no further contact with the service. Potential determinants of once-only contact were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 2,446 new episodes of care met the inclusion criteria of the study. Of those, 734 (30%) were once-only contacts with the service. Compared to patients with more than one contact, patients who had a once-only contact were older, more likely to be male, had a lower socio-economic status and less severe psychiatric diagnosis. They were more likely to be referred by consultation/liaison or emergency room. CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate analysis revealed that having a less severe psychiatric diagnosis was the most significant determinant of once-only contact with a CMHS. The results suggest that the behaviour of referring agents in selecting patients and preparing them for treatment merits further investigation.
Authors: S Evans-Lacko; S Aguilar-Gaxiola; A Al-Hamzawi; J Alonso; C Benjet; R Bruffaerts; W T Chiu; S Florescu; G de Girolamo; O Gureje; J M Haro; Y He; C Hu; E G Karam; N Kawakami; S Lee; C Lund; V Kovess-Masfety; D Levinson; F Navarro-Mateu; B E Pennell; N A Sampson; K M Scott; H Tachimori; M Ten Have; M C Viana; D R Williams; B J Wojtyniak; Z Zarkov; R C Kessler; S Chatterji; G Thornicroft Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2017-11-27 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Alejandro L Vázquez; Melanie M Domenech Rodríguez; Tyson S Barrett; Sarah Schwartz; Nancy G Amador Buenabad; Marycarmen N Bustos Gamiño; María de Lourdes Gutiérrez López; Jorge A Villatoro Velázquez Journal: Prev Sci Date: 2020-02