Dynamics of inpatient child psychiatric care in the timeframe 1995-2005 (Vilnius University Child Developmental Centre)

Objective. The goals of this study were to analyse the formation of a multidisciplinary team, the variation of patient types and diagnoses in the Child Developmental Centre as well as the evolution of therapeutic interventions and trends of psychopharmacology in the timeframe 1995-2005. Methods. Analysis of medical documentation on personnel resources as well as general information about patients and applied therapeutic interventions was made. Results. The study results showed that the number of nurses and caretakers was gradually increasing and services became more adequate with inclusion of social workers, speech therapists and teachers. Analysis showed an increase in the following disorders: mood, hyperkinetic, mixed disorders of conduct and emotions, those with onset specific to childhood. The total number of children receiving pharmacological treatment increased. Conclusions. Delivery of adequate inpatient child psychiatric service is strongly dependent on administrative support, presence of qualified personnel, and adequate financial funding. There was a significant increase in the number of certain diagnoses and applied psychopharmacological treatment over the years studied that reflects international trends for treatment, prevalence and comorbidity of psychopathology in children. In view of child needs, establishment of age-specific inpatient units and development of special treatment programs are essential.