Melissa Mulraney1,2, Cindy Lee1,2, Gary Freed3, Michael Sawyer4,5, David Coghill1,2,6, Emma Sciberras1,2,7, Daryl Efron1,2,6, Harriet Hiscock1,2,6. 1. Health Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 2. Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. Department of Paediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. 4. Research and Evaluation Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 5. Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 6. Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 7. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: To determine: (i) wait times and out-of-pocket costs for children attending private specialists for initial mental health appointments; and (ii) whether these differed between specialists working in metropolitan versus rural areas and in low, medium and high socio-economic areas. METHODS: Prospective secret shopper study whereby a researcher posed as a parent seeking an appointment for her child with anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We contacted 317 private paediatrician, psychiatrist and psychologist practices in Victoria and South Australia between 12 March and 5 May 2019. RESULTS: One third (29.8%) of private practices were closed to new referrals. The average wait times for paediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists were 44, 41 and 34 days, respectively. Average out-of-pocket costs quoted were AU$120 for paediatricians, AU$176 for psychiatrists and AU$85 for psychologists. CONCLUSION: Parents face extensive wait times and substantial out-of-pocket costs when seeking private mental health services for their child.
AIM: To determine: (i) wait times and out-of-pocket costs for children attending private specialists for initial mental health appointments; and (ii) whether these differed between specialists working in metropolitan versus rural areas and in low, medium and high socio-economic areas. METHODS: Prospective secret shopper study whereby a researcher posed as a parent seeking an appointment for her child with anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We contacted 317 private paediatrician, psychiatrist and psychologist practices in Victoria and South Australia between 12 March and 5 May 2019. RESULTS: One third (29.8%) of private practices were closed to new referrals. The average wait times for paediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists were 44, 41 and 34 days, respectively. Average out-of-pocket costs quoted were AU$120 for paediatricians, AU$176 for psychiatrists and AU$85 for psychologists. CONCLUSION: Parents face extensive wait times and substantial out-of-pocket costs when seeking private mental health services for their child.
Authors: S Darling; G Dawson; J Quach; R Smith; A Perkins; A Connolly; A Smith; C L Moore; J Ride; F Oberklaid Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-07-28 Impact factor: 3.295