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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-05-2016 | Original Paper

Examining the need profiles of patients with multiple emergency department visits for mental health reasons: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Frank Sirotich, Anna Durbin, Janet Durbin

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 5/2016

Abstract

Objectives

Study objectives were to: (1) provide an estimate of the prevalence of repeat emergency department (ED) use for mental health reasons among individuals enrolled in intensive case management programs; and (2) to identify socio-demographic, diagnostic, and service need characteristics associated with repeat ED visits among this service population.

Methods

The study utilized administrative health data from community mental health organizations in Toronto, Canada on a sample of 2274 individuals enrolled in intensive case management programs. Patients with 2+ ED visits for mental health reasons within the prior 6 months were compared with individuals who had no ED visits or one visit on the basis of demographic, diagnostic and service need characteristics.

Results

Approximately 6 % of intensive case management clients had two or more ED visits over a 6-month period. Membership in the repeat ED user group was associated with younger age (OR 0.98), a mood disorder (OR 1.58), being in service less than 1 year (OR 1.94) and unmet needs related to psychotic symptoms (OR 2.19), substance use (OR 2.27), and safety to self/others (OR 3.42).

Conclusions

The repeat ED user group within case management may have distinct need profiles that require different treatment responses. Moreover, clinical needs rather than psychosocial needs have the greatest relationship with repeat psychiatric ED utilization. These unmet needs suggest areas for future interventions aimed at reducing the use of ED services for mental health reasons and improving care for patients who repeatedly present at the ED.

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Title: Examining the need profiles of patients with multiple emergency department visits for mental health reasons: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Frank Sirotich
Anna Durbin
Janet Durbin
Publication date: 01-05-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1188-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Examining the need profiles of patients with multiple emergency department visits for mental health reasons: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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