Engelsk titel: Great variations in the utilization of psychiatric services in Sogn og Fjordane
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Författare:
Breidablik, Hans Johan
;
Meland, Eivind
Email: hans.johan.breidablik@helse-forde.no
Språk: Nor
Antal referenser: 17
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 18100071
Sammanfattning
The objective of this study was to examine variations between municipalities concerning outpatient treatment in child/adolescent and adult psychiatric services in Sogn og Fjordane. Data was collected during the years 2012–2015, and the authors estimated age and gender-adjusted rates for patients with predefined diagnoses, for the associated consultations and for the referrals for each municipality. There were striking variations within consultation rates, from 0 to 384 per 1000 inhabitants in adult psychiatric services, and from 0 to 499 in the child- and adolescent services. The correlation between number of referrals and consultation rates was 0,72 (p<0,001) in the latter. Further, a significant association between travel time and the patient rates in the adult psychiatric services but not in child- and adolescent services was revealed. According to these results, inhabitants in the county of Sogn og Fjordane do not utilize psychiatric services in an equally entitled manner, and variations in referral rates from primary care may be an important explanation for this inequality. In order to reduce such improper variations, we need to discuss and agree on basic assessment indicators for referrals from primary to secondary care, and on how to best organize the shared responsibilty between primary and secondary care in these matters.