Long-term utilization of community mental health outpatient services in Jerusalem.

A survey of the long-term users of community mental health clinics in Jerusalem was conducted in 1986. The study population included all patients in regular contact for at least one year (789 patients). Data on clinical diagnosis, type of treatment and selected sociodemographic variables were extracted from the patient's file at the clinic. Long-term utilization rates were calculated for the different catchment areas and for different sociodemographic and diagnostic groups. It was found that for patients suffering from major psychiatric disorders (2/3 of the long-term users), the long-term utilization rates were similar across catchment areas, and higher in those socioeconomic groups that are also reported to have high true prevalence rates. On the other hand, for patients suffering from non major psychiatric disorders, the long-term utilization rates varied between clinics, reflecting local treatment policies, specifically the extent to which the clinics use psychotherapy as a treatment modality.