scholarly journals Integration between Primary Care and Mental Health Services in Italy: Determinants of Referral and Stepped Care

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Rucci ◽  
Antonella Piazza ◽  
Marco Menchetti ◽  
Domenico Berardi ◽  
Angelo Fioritti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Mental Health Center ◽  
Shared Care ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Patterns Of Care ◽  
Classification And Regression Tree ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health

This study, carried out in the context of a collaborative care program for common mental disorders, is aimed at identifying the predictors of Primary Care Physician (PCP) referral to Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and patterns of care. Patients with depression or anxiety disorders who had a first contact with CMHCs between January 1, 2007–December 31, 2009 were extracted from Bologna Local Health Authority database. A classification and regression tree procedure was used to determine which combination of demographic and diagnostic variables best distinguished patients referred by PCPs and to identify predictors of patterns of care (consultation, shared care, and treatment at the CMHC) for patients referred by PCPs. Of the 8570 patients, 57.4% were referred by PCPs. Those less likely to be referred by PCPs were living in the urban area, suffered from depressive disorder, and were young. As to the pattern of care, patients living in the urban area were more likely to receive shared care compared with those living in the nonurban area, while the reverse was true for consultation. Predictors of CMHC treatment were depression and young age. Prospective studies are needed to assess length, quantity, and quality of collaborative treatment for common mental disorder delivered at any step of care.

Development and feasibility assessment of a collaborative stepped care intervention for management of depression in the mental health in primary care (MeHPriC) project, Lagos, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (13) ◽  
pp. 2149-2157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abiodun O. Adewuya ◽  
Tomilola Adewumi ◽  
Olufisayo Momodu ◽  
Olushola Olibamoyo ◽  
Olabanji Adesoji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Intervention Package ◽  
Problem Solving Therapy ◽  
Adherence Support ◽  
Local Stakeholders

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a primary care worker-led psychological intervention as the main feature of a collaborative stepped care for depression that is effective, affordable, culturally acceptable, tailored to patients’ clinical condition and easily integrate-able into the primary care schedule in Nigeria.MethodsUsing the Medical Research Council framework, in the first stage (modelling/theoretical development), experts reviewed and distilled evidence from literature to form the intervention components. In the second (formative) stage, local stakeholders were consulted on the practical application and feasibility of the proposed intervention. The third (piloting) stage involved testing for the clinical efficacy and acceptability of the components of the draft interventionResultsThe final intervention components included a 2-stage screening (red-flagging and further evaluation), psychoeducation, low-intensity psychological therapy (problem-solving therapy for primary care), antidepressant prescription, proactive mobile telephony adherence support and referral to the mental health specialist if needed. At 3 months, 71.6% of depressed patients on the intervention improved. The intervention was perceived to be acceptable and useful by over 70% of health workers and clients and had high ratings (>70% score) by expert panels on intervention simplicity, facilitation strategies, and quality of delivery.ConclusionsThe development and feasibility testing of our integrated intervention encompassed review of current literature, expert opinions and consultation with local stakeholders and end users. Our intervention package was largely deemed acceptable, relevant, useful, and feasible. Important lessons learnt with this process will help in future intervention developments.

scholarly journals Personality disorder co-morbidity in primary care ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapy’ (IAPT) services: a qualitative study exploring patient perspectives on treatment experience

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Gary Lamph ◽  
John Baker ◽  
Tommy Dickinson ◽  
Karina Lovell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Co Morbidity

Abstract Background: High numbers of people present with common mental health disorders and co-morbid personality disorder traits in primary care ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ (IAPT) services in England and they receive sub-optimal treatments. No previous studies have explored the treatment experiences or needs of this patient population in England. Aims: This qualitative study explored the treatment experiences of patients (n = 22) with common mental health difficulties and co-morbid personality disorder as indicated by a score of 3 or more on the ‘Standardised Assessment of Personality – Abbreviated Scale’ (SAPAS) in receipt of primary care-based IAPT treatment. Method: A qualitative health research approach was used. Qualitative individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were audio recorded, data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a framework analysis approach. Results: Findings revealed a need to adapt away from prescriptive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment models towards more flexible, personalised and individualised treatment with this patient group. Time to emotionally offload, build a therapeutic relationship and link past experiences to presenting problems were highlighted as important. Conclusions: For the first time, the needs and treatment experiences of this patient group have been explored. This paper provides a unique patient experience insight that should be considered when exploring new approaches to working with and developing effective interventions via a stepped care approach.

scholarly journals 53 Implementation of a Developmental Outreach Clinic housed within a Family Health Team - preliminary findings in building a shared care model for children and youth with mental health and developmental disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e22-e22
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Young ◽  
Rachel Goldfarb ◽  
Laurie Green ◽  
Kathleen Hollamby ◽  
Karen Weyman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Shared Care ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Shared Care Model ◽  
Family Health Team

Abstract Background At our inner city hospital, we developed a shared care model between family health teams (FHTs), pediatricians and developmental pediatricians to care for children with mental health and developmental disorders. In phase one of our study, 84 FHT members participated in focus groups to inform the development of our clinic. Family physicians described their role as “referral agent”, “long term supporter” and “healthcare coordinator”. They expressed the desire to “learn” and “do more”, but noted barriers to providing care, including limited training, lack of service knowledge, limited communication, and cumbersome access to mental health and dual diagnosis services. Phase One was completed and accepted for publication. Phase Two describes the implementation of our clinic using a mixed methods approach and report preliminary findings. Objectives To evaluate the first two years of implementation of the developmental clinic housed within a family health team (FHT) an obtain feedback from members of the shared care model. Design/Methods Mixed methods were used including chart review of all patients referred to the clinic and semi structured interviews with primary care physicians, pediatricians and developmental pediatricians regarding their roles in managing children with developmental and mental health disorders, as well as use and impact of the developmental clinic. Results A total of 115 charts were reviewed between Feb 2016 and Jan 2018. Of all patients seen, 34% were female 64% male and 2% transgender. Ages ranged from 1-17 years. Eighty-one percent had an existing diagnosis and were referred for re-assessment while 43% received a new diagnosis: ASD (72%), ADHD (11%), GDD (11%), learning disorder (3%), Anxiety (1%), Other (1%). There was an 8% no show rate. Providers endorsed improved communication through use of a shared EMR for documentation and messaging, and improved service knowledge through availability of a pediatric service navigator who also used EMR to document service and funding applications. Longer term follow up, namely the roles and responsibilities of pediatrics vs. developmental pediatrics vs. primary care remained unclear. Conclusion Implementation of the shared care model for this population with primary care is feasible, and does address some stated barriers to care, including improved communication, increased service knowledge, and provision of reassessments. Further areas to develop include clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the different healthcare providers of children with mental health and developmental disorders, and determining what is needed for long-term follow up and transitional care.

Evaluating models of working at the interface between mental health services and primary care

1997 ◽  
Vol 170 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Gask ◽  
Bonnie Sibbald ◽  
Francis Creed
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Psychiatric Nurses ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Secondary Health Care

BackgroundThis paper examines the feasibility of evaluating innovative models of working at the interface between primary care and secondary mental health services.MethodMethodological problems relevant to evaluation of innovative models of working at the interface are discussed.ResultsAlthough there is some evidence that neurotic disorders can be more cost-effectively treated in primary care, many general practitioners (GPs), and possibly some patients, prefer referral to community mental health teams and community psychiatric nurses, which are provided by the secondary health care services. Since the latter are provided with the intention of improving serious mental illness their involvement in the care of neurotic illness can lead to tensions between GPs, local health authorities and service providers. There is little evidence to suggest that psychiatrists working in health centres using the ‘shifted out-patient’ model have eased this problem. By contrast the ‘consultation-liaison’ (C-L) model has a number of theoretical advantages; referrals to secondary care should be limited to those most in need of this level of expertise and GP management skills should improve, so leading to better quality of care for patients who are not referred.ConclusionStudies comparing the different models of service delivery are required to address the tensions that have arisen following changes in government policy. Further work is also needed to develop the necessary research tools.

scholarly journals General practitioner attitudes and confidence to deprescribing for elderly patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pier Riccardo Rossi ◽  
Sarah E. Hegarty ◽  
Vittorio Maio ◽  
Marco Lombardi ◽  
Andrea Pizzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting

Deprescribing is a patient-centered process of medication withdrawal intended to achieve improved health outcomes through discontinuation of one or more medications that are either potentially harmful or no longer required. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of primary care physicians on deprescribing and potential barriers to deprescribing in the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Secondary objective was to evaluate educational needs of primary care physician. Cross sectional survey of primary care physicians working in the LHA of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. 439 GPs (71.3% of the total number of primary care physicians) attended an educational session related to deprescribing and were asked to anonymously answer a paper survey. Participants were asked to complete a previously published questionnaire about deprescribing and potential factors affecting the deprescribing process. A correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the association between physicians’ confidence in deprescribing and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. Many GPs (71%) reported general confidence in their ability to deprescribe. Most respondents (83%) reported they were comfortable deprescribing preventive medications, however almost half expressed doubts regarding deprescribing when medication was initially prescribed by a colleague (45%) or when patient and/or caregiver supported the opportunity to continue the assumption (49%). Around a third of doctors maintain that the absence of strong evidence supporting deprescribing prevents them from considering it (38%), that they do not have the necessary time to effectively go through the process of deprescribing (29%), and that fear of possible effects due on withdrawal prevents them from deprescribing (31%). There was no strong correlation between physicians’ confidence and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. The present study confirms that general practitioners sense the importance of deprescribing and feel prepared to face it managing communication with patients and caregivers, but find barriers when enacting the practice in a real-life context.

scholarly journals Out-of-hours primary care services: Demands and patient referral patterns in a Veneto region (Italy) Local Health Authority

Health Policy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Buja ◽  
Roberto Toffanin ◽  
Stefano Rigon ◽  
Paolo Sandonà ◽  
Daniela Carraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Authority ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Veneto Region ◽  
Referral Patterns ◽  
Out Of Hours ◽  
Patient Referral ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Care Services

scholarly journals Primary Mental Health Care Part 2: Three European Primary Mental Health Care Examples as Basis for Change to the Irish System

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Smith L
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Primary Mental Health Care ◽  
Alternative Vision ◽  
Care Approach ◽  
Care Systems

The successes and limitations of primary mental health care systems in three countries outside of Ireland are examined in order to inform potential change for the Irish primary mental health care system. Systems currently at work within Scotland, England, and the Netherlands are outlined, all of which employ versions of the “stepped-care” approach to primary care. It is acknowledged that Ireland is attempting to modify primary care to include the stepped-care approach. However, there are significant limitations to the current Irish system. With the Scottish, English, and Dutch systems in mind, an alternative vision of primary mental health care for Ireland is suggested.

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