265818 Assessing timeliness of and engagement in mental health services in an urban mental health clinic

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Megan Sirna, BS , Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Martha Shumway, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
James Dilley, MD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Christina Mangurian, MD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Fumi Mitsuishi, MD, MS , Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Introduction: There are many barriers to accessing mental health care, ranging from stigma to lack of financial resources. However, once a patient requests mental health services, engagement into care becomes crucial. In an effort to improve engagement and quality of care standards, our community mental health system has instituted policies to help reduce the time to initial assessment. The study setting was a busy urban community mental health clinic serving a population of underserved, difficult to engage, mostly recent Asian immigrants. Our aim was to evaluate the timeliness of our initial services, the level of engagement with services, and describe the number of patients who enter, exit or continue to seek care. Methods: A chart review was conducted of approximately 300 patients, who dropped in between January 2011 to June 2011, requesting services at an urban community mental health clinic. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, referral source, time to first psychiatric assessment, time to and number of follow up appointments were obtained. Results: Preliminary data suggests that standards for timely access have been in effect for patients who request services. Data on whether there are any disparities in access and engagement will be evaluated. Discussion: There are many barriers to accessing mental health services, especially for disadvantaged populations. Receiving timely assessment and services seems to help individuals, who may typically experience challenges in engaging with treatment. This study attempted to define the characteristics of individuals who engage in care. Further research is needed to determine how to enhance engagement.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Evaluate timeliness of mental health assessment services in an urban community mental health clinic serving psychiatrically underserved and racially diverse populations. 2. Determine the number of patients who engage in treatment after seeking services. 3. Define characteristics of patients who engage in treatment versus those who do not.

Keywords: Mental Health Care, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present on timeliness of and engagement in mental health services because I have worked on three research projects investigating mental health provision, integration of medical and mental health services and access to mental health treatment for urban vulnerable populations as part of the UCSF AIDS Health Project Post-Baccalaureate Research Internship.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.