Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Discovering risk patterns in people with affective disorder-induced disabilities associated with their healthcare
Wei Du1,2, Younjin Chung2
1Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Background:
People with affective disorder-induced disabilities (ADIDs) often experience complex needs that delay their healthcare. Discovering hidden patterns in these people for real-world use of health services is essential to improve healthcare delivery.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study population (2501 adults with ADIDs) was obtained from the Australian national representative survey of disability in 2015, including 21 demographic, health and social characteristics and healthcare delay information in general practice, specialist and hospital services. The Self-Organising Map Network was used to identify hidden risk patterns associated with healthcare delay and investigate potential predictors of class memberships by means of simple visualisations.
Results:
While experiencing disability avoidance showed across different healthcare delays, labour force appeared not to have any influence. Approximately 30% delayed their healthcare to general practice services; these were young, single females in great need of psychosocial support and aids for personal activities. Those who delayed their healthcare commonly presented a lack of social connections and a need for contact with family or friends not living in the same household.
Conclusions:
The pattern evidence provides an avenue to further develop integrated care strategies with better targeting of people with ADIDs, considering social participation challenges facing them, to improve health service utilisation.
Related Concept Videos
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Personality Disorders: Paranoid and Schizoid
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid personality disorder is...

