4,558 research outputs found
Pathway to Psychiatric Care for Older Persons in Hong Kong
Conference Theme: Mental Health for AllSymposium 2.4 - Elderly Mental HealthBackground: Early intervention effectively improves
quality of life, clinical outcomes, and social functioning of
older persons with mental disorders. It is therefore important
to identify the obstacles that delay their acquisition of
psychiatric care.
Objectives: This is the first territory-wide study to examine
the pathway to care taken by the local older adults with
mental health problems, and elucidate the factors that delay
or speed up help-seeking behaviours.
Methods: A total of 128 participants who presented for
the first time to psychiatric service units in 5 clusters of the
Hospital Authority during the study period were recruited.
Their pathway to care was evaluated using WHO Encounter
Form. In addition, they were assessed using Health of the
Nation Outcome Scale, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, and
Social Support Rating Scale. Their socio-demographic data
and psychiatric diagnosis were also recorded.
Results: On average, participants consulted 1.3 ± 0.5
professional carers before reaching specialist psychiatric
service. Hospital doctors (44.0%) and general practitioners
(29.5%) were the major carers involved. The median duration
between onset of symptoms and contact with first carer was
6.0 weeks whereas that between onset and consulting mental
health professionals was 44.0 weeks. A number of sociodemographic,
clinical, and pathway factors were associated
with prolonged delays to mental health services.
Conclusions: The present study identified 2 major pathways
to mental health care in Hong Kong, and factors influencing
duration taken to reach psychiatric services. Understanding
these factors assists us to develop a combination of strategies
including public awareness programmes and training courses
for healthcare professionals that may shorten the delay in
receiving psychiatric assessment and care.published_or_final_versio
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