Kaitlin P Gallo1, S Serene Olin1, Amy Storfer-Isser1, Briannon C O'Connor1, Emma D Whitmyre1, Kimberly E Hoagwood1, Sarah McCue Horwitz1. 1. Dr. Gallo is with McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, and with the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston (e-mail: kgallo@post.harvard.edu ). Dr. Olin, Dr. Hoagwood, and Dr. Horwitz are with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York. Dr. Storfer-Isser is with Statistical Research Consultants, L.L.C., Schaumburg, Illinois. Dr. O'Connor is with Coordinated Care Services, Inc., Rochester, New York. Ms. Whitmyre is with the Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examined barriers facing parents who seek outpatient psychiatric care in a large state system for adolescents with depression. METHODS: A total of 264 outpatient facilities licensed to treat youths in New York were contacted by using a mystery shopper methodology. Callers tracked the number of call attempts, in-person appointments, and other steps required prior to seeing a psychiatrist. RESULTS: Fewer than two-thirds of parents made a psychiatry, therapy, or intake appointment. Of those who did not make an appointment, 19% received no referrals. Most callers made at least two calls and spoke with at least two people before initiating scheduling. Virtually all clinics required at least one intake or therapy appointment before receipt of a psychiatry appointment. Parental burden did not differ by region, urbanicity, clinic type, seasonality (spring or summer), or insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: Families of youths with mental health needs face considerable burden in accessing timely treatment.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined barriers facing parents who seek outpatientpsychiatric care in a large state system for adolescents with depression. METHODS: A total of 264 outpatient facilities licensed to treat youths in New York were contacted by using a mystery shopper methodology. Callers tracked the number of call attempts, in-person appointments, and other steps required prior to seeing a psychiatrist. RESULTS: Fewer than two-thirds of parents made a psychiatry, therapy, or intake appointment. Of those who did not make an appointment, 19% received no referrals. Most callers made at least two calls and spoke with at least two people before initiating scheduling. Virtually all clinics required at least one intake or therapy appointment before receipt of a psychiatry appointment. Parental burden did not differ by region, urbanicity, clinic type, seasonality (spring or summer), or insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: Families of youths with mental health needs face considerable burden in accessing timely treatment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescents/adolescence; Community mental health services; Depression; Mental health systems/hospitals; Psychiatry/general
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