Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
WA Primary Health Alliance, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
Australas Psychiatry. 2023 Jun;31(3):295-301. doi: 10.1177/10398562231167681. Epub 2023 Apr 10.
This study utilised digital technology to assess the clinical needs of young people presenting for care at centres across Australia.
1490 young people (12-25 years) who presented to one of 11 services from four geographical locations (urban New South Wales, urban South Australia, regional New South Wales, and regional Queensland) completed a digital multidimensional assessment at initial presentation. Characteristics were compared between services and geographical locations.
We identified major variation in the demographics, and the type and severity of needs across different services. Individuals from regional services were more likely to be younger, of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, and present with psychotic-like symptoms and suicidality, while those in urban areas were more likely to have previously sought help and have problematic alcohol use. Further differences in age, distress, depressive symptoms, psychotic-like experiences, trauma, family history, alcohol use, education/employment engagement, and days out of role were identified between different urban sites.
The variability between services provides insight into the heterogeneity of youth mental health populations which has implications for appropriate early intervention and prevention service provisions. We propose that integrating digital technologies has the potential to provide insights for smarter service planning and evaluation.
本研究利用数字技术评估澳大利亚各地中心就诊的年轻人的临床需求。
1490 名年轻人（12-25 岁）在四个地理位置（新南威尔士州城市、南澳大利亚州城市、新南威尔士州地区和昆士兰州地区）的 11 个服务中的一个服务初次就诊时完成了数字化多维评估。对服务和地理位置之间的特征进行了比较。
我们发现不同服务之间在人口统计学特征、需求类型和严重程度方面存在显著差异。来自地区服务的人更年轻，更可能是原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民，并且出现类似精神病的症状和自杀意念，而城市地区的人更可能以前寻求过帮助，并且存在酗酒问题。在不同的城市地点之间还发现了年龄、痛苦、抑郁症状、类似精神病的体验、创伤、家族史、饮酒、教育/就业参与度和缺勤天数方面的差异。
服务之间的可变性提供了有关青年心理健康人群异质性的见解，这对适当的早期干预和预防服务提供具有重要意义。我们提出，整合数字技术有可能为更智能的服务规划和评估提供见解。
