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[Community psychiatry in Copenhagen. Services and resource utilization]
1Psykiatrisk afdeling, distriktspsykiatrisk center, Kommunehospitalet, København.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|November 6, 1995
Summary
This study analyzed patient contacts at a new community psychiatry center, finding that most resources supported chronic and psychotic patients, with psychotherapy being the most common contact type. Patient attendance was high, indicating perceived value of services.
Area of Science:
- Community Psychiatry
- Health Services Research
- Psychiatric Epidemiology
Background:
- Newly established community psychiatry centers require resource allocation analysis.
- Understanding patient contact patterns is crucial for effective service delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the volume and nature of patient contacts.
- To analyze contact distribution by diagnostic category.
- To assess resource utilization in a community psychiatry setting.
Main Methods:
- Computerized registration of patient contacts and day-patient days.
- Analysis of contact content (psychotherapeutic, medical, mixed).
- Distribution of resources by patient type and activity.
Main Results:
- Approximately 6000 contacts and 6000 day-patient days annually.
- Psychotherapy comprised 50% of contacts; 20% occurred in patients' homes.
- Seventy percent of resources were allocated to chronic patients, with a focus on psychotic patients.
Conclusions:
- The center effectively allocated resources towards its goal of serving psychotic patients.
- Patient attendance rates suggest high perceived value of the provided services.
- Contact duration was generally reasonable, though brief for psychiatrists.