The Nordic comparative study on sectorized psychiatry. I. Treated point prevalence and characteristics of the psychiatric services.

Comparative studies relating characteristics of psychiatric services to rates of treated prevalence are scarce. As part of a Nordic comparative study on sectorized psychiatry, a point-prevalence study was performed in 5 sectorized psychiatric services with comprehensive service facilities for a defined population under responsibility. The rates of treated prevalence on a census day were related to a number of characteristics of the respective services and to accessibility of care. The results showed a great variation in one-day point prevalence in the 5 services, with almost fourfold differences. There were also marked differences in the diagnostic distribution of the cohorts. A positive correlation was found between number of beds and point prevalence, measured both as total point prevalence and impatient prevalence. The rates of beds and psychiatrists were most strongly related to the prevalence of patients with organic disorders and functional psychoses. A closed referral system was associated with a lower level of treated prevalence.