Michal Dick1, Shmuel Fennig2, Ido Lurie2. 1. Internal Medicine Department D, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson, Petach Tikva, Israel Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Outpatient Ambulatory Service, Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod Hasharon, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emotional distress (ED) is prevalent among immigrants. The open clinic of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)-Israel provides free medical and psychiatric treatment to immigrants without access to the ambulatory health service. In 2010, the psychiatric records represented 1% of the total medical files (N=28,000) in the open clinic. OBJECTIVE: To compare service users' self-reported ED and its identification by general practitioners (GP) and to identify socio-demographic variables associated with ED. METHOD: A convenience sample (N=97) of the general medical service users completed the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A score of 11 or above was considered a suspected mental disorder. The GPs' clinical assessment of ED was compared with the self-reported score. RESULTS: The sample's mean GHQ-12 score was higher than the threshold (M=12.7, SD=6.3, range 0-35). Fifty three percent (n=51) had a GHQ-12 score higher than 11, and 8% (n=8) were identified by the GPs as emotionally distressed and/or in need of psychiatric care. The mean score of the study sample was higher than that found in past studies regarding the Arab-Israeli general population (M=10.8, SD=0.35). Employment was the only socio-demographic variable significantly associated with ED. CONCLUSIONS: ED was high among immigrants, but under-diagnosed by GPs. Employment might serve as a protective factor for ED.
BACKGROUND: Emotional distress (ED) is prevalent among immigrants. The open clinic of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)-Israel provides free medical and psychiatric treatment to immigrants without access to the ambulatory health service. In 2010, the psychiatric records represented 1% of the total medical files (N=28,000) in the open clinic. OBJECTIVE: To compare service users' self-reported ED and its identification by general practitioners (GP) and to identify socio-demographic variables associated with ED. METHOD: A convenience sample (N=97) of the general medical service users completed the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A score of 11 or above was considered a suspected mental disorder. The GPs' clinical assessment of ED was compared with the self-reported score. RESULTS: The sample's mean GHQ-12 score was higher than the threshold (M=12.7, SD=6.3, range 0-35). Fifty three percent (n=51) had a GHQ-12 score higher than 11, and 8% (n=8) were identified by the GPs as emotionally distressed and/or in need of psychiatric care. The mean score of the study sample was higher than that found in past studies regarding the Arab-Israeli general population (M=10.8, SD=0.35). Employment was the only socio-demographic variable significantly associated with ED. CONCLUSIONS: ED was high among immigrants, but under-diagnosed by GPs. Employment might serve as a protective factor for ED.
Authors: Jia Lu; Shabana Jamani; Joseph Benjamen; Eric Agbata; Olivia Magwood; Kevin Pottie Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Luisa K Offenberg; Samira T Sommer; Manuela Schmidt; Stefanie Kasten; Florian Bockheim; Boris Gavrilov; Carmen Hunzelar; Nur Ikar; Maja P S Oberholz; Joana L Paños-Willuhn; Birgitta Weltermann Journal: BMC Prim Care Date: 2022-04-20