Polivka B J, Clark J A
Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus 43210.
J Ment Health Adm. 1994 Spring;21(2):170-84. doi: 10.1007/BF02521324.
The closing of a state children's psychiatric hospital resulted in the mandated development of a regional children's mental health system for youths with severe emotional disturbances. The purpose of this article is to describe the demographic profiles and service usage patterns of youths enrolled in this system (Project youths) compared with random samples of non-Project youths involved with the mental health system. Data were obtained from two existing statewide databases (508K and MHIS). The 508K database revealed that Project youths (n = 393) were significantly older, had more severe functional impairments, more out of home placements, lower functional abilities, and were ill longer than non-Project youths (n = 747). Using the MHIS database, service usage patterns were assessed over time, across groups, and across the six local mental health authorities (LMHAs). Project youths (n = 266) received more case management, emergency, day treatment, and inpatient services than did non-Project youths (n = 262) and there were significant increases in case management and residential services over time. Differences among the LMHAs were found in all service types. Findings from this study indicated that Project youths were the most severely disturbed in the mental health system and received the most services. This study demonstrates the usefulness of analyzing existing statewide data in evaluating mental health systems.
一家州立儿童精神病医院的关闭，导致了针对患有严重情绪障碍青少年的区域性儿童心理健康系统的强制开发。本文旨在描述该系统中登记的青少年（项目青少年）的人口统计学特征和服务使用模式，并与参与心理健康系统的非项目青少年随机样本进行比较。数据来自两个现有的全州范围数据库（508K和MHIS）。508K数据库显示，项目青少年（n = 393）比非项目青少年（n = 747）年龄更大、功能障碍更严重、离家安置更多、功能能力更低且患病时间更长。使用MHIS数据库，对不同群体以及六个地方心理健康当局（LMHA）的服务使用模式进行了长期评估。项目青少年（n = 266）比非项目青少年（n = 262）接受了更多的个案管理、急诊、日间治疗和住院服务，并且随着时间推移，个案管理和住宿服务有显著增加。在所有服务类型中都发现了LMHA之间的差异。本研究结果表明，项目青少年是心理健康系统中受干扰最严重的群体，接受的服务也最多。这项研究证明了分析现有的全州范围数据在评估心理健康系统方面的有用性。
