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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Consultation-liaison psychiatry in Japan: a nationwide retrospective observational study

Authors: Daisuke Shinjo, Hisateru Tachimori, Keiko Maruyama-Sakurai, Kenji Fujimori, Norihiko Inoue, Kiyohide Fushimi

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP)—professional psychiatric care provided to coordinate with surgical or medical treatment of inpatients with psychiatric disorders—was included in universal health coverage in Japan in 2012. Despite evidence of benefits of CLP, basic data and geographic distribution information regarding CLP at the national level remain unclear. This study aimed to 1) identify the geographic disparity of CLP in Japan and 2) investigate the association between number of consultations per CLP patient and region.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed anonymized data retrieved from the Japanese administrative inpatient database regarding inpatients who were provided CLP between April 2012 and March 2017. Demographic characteristics were summarized and geographic disparity by prefecture was visualized for fiscal years 2012 and 2016; we also summarized the data according to region. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to investigate association between the number of consultations per CLP patient and region after adjusting for covariates.

Results

Data from a total of 46,171 patients who received 138,866 CLP services were included. Results revealed more patients aged 75–84 years received CLPs than any other age group (29.7%) and the overall male/female ratio was 53:47 in 2016. In 2012 and 2016, 24.2 and 30.7% of CLP patients, respectively, were transferred to other hospitals; 9.7 and 8.8%, respectively, discharged due to the death. CLP services were provided in 14 prefectures in 2012 and 33 by 2016; 14 prefectures had no available CLP services. After adjusting for covariates, Tohoku (β = − 0.220, p < 0.034), Chugoku (β = − 0.160, p < 0.026), and Shikoku (β = − 0.555, p < 0.001) had a significant negative correlation with the number of consultations per CLP patient compared with Hokkaido region (an adjusted R square (R2) = 0.274).

Conclusions

Our study clarified the characteristics of patients in Japan who received CLPs and the geographic disparity in CLP services. Although 5 years had passed since CLP was introduced, the results imply wide availability of CLP nationally. The analysis data provided may inform future policies to improve CLP services.

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Title: Consultation-liaison psychiatry in Japan: a nationwide retrospective observational study
Authors: Daisuke Shinjo
Hisateru Tachimori
Keiko Maruyama-Sakurai
Kenji Fujimori
Norihiko Inoue
Kiyohide Fushimi
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03241-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Consultation-liaison psychiatry in Japan: a nationwide retrospective observational study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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