Diagnosed Incidence of Non-Affective Psychotic Disorders Amongst Adolescents in British Columbia and Sociodemographic Risk Factors: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 070674372110554
Author(s):  
Carly Magee ◽  
Martin Guhn ◽  
Joseph H. Puyat ◽  
Anne Gadermann ◽  
Eva Oberle

Objectives To estimate the diagnosed incidence of non-affective psychotic disorder between the ages of 13 and 19 years in South-Western British Columbia (BC) and to examine variation in risk by sex, family and neighbourhood income, family migration background, parent mental health contact and birth year. Methods Linked individual-level administrative data were used to construct a cohort of individuals born in 1990–1998 and residing in South-Western BC ( n = 193,400). Cases were identified by either one hospitalization or two outpatient physician visits within 2 years with a primary diagnosis of a non-affective psychotic disorder (ICD-10: F20–29, ICD-9: 295, 297, 298). We estimated cumulative incidence, annual cumulative incidence and incidence rate between the ages of 13 and 19 years, and conducted Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors and risk over the study period. Results We found that 0.64% of females and 0.88% of males were diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder between the ages of 13 and 19 years, with increasing risk observed over the age range, especially amongst males. Incidence rate over the entire study period was 106 per 100,000 person-years for females and 145 per 100,000 person-years for males. Risk of diagnosis was elevated amongst those in low-income families and neighbourhoods, those with a parent who had a health service contact for a mental disorder, and more recent birth cohorts. Risk was reduced amongst children of immigrants compared to children of non-migrants. Conclusions Findings from this study provide important information for health service planning in South-Western BC. Future work should examine whether variations in diagnosed incidence is driven by differences in health service engagement or reflect genuine differences in risk.

2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110167
Author(s):  
Jonathan Roux ◽  
Elaine Kingwell ◽  
Feng Zhu ◽  
Helen Tremlett ◽  
Emmanuelle Leray ◽  
...  

Background: Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) typically require complex multidisciplinary care, which is rarely formally assessed. Objectives: We applied multichannel sequence analysis (MCSA) to identify care consumption patterns by PwMS in British Columbia, Canada. Methods: We created two cohorts, comprising incident and prevalent MS cases, using linked clinical and administrative data. We applied MCSA to quantify and compare the care pathways of PwMS, based on all-cause hospitalizations and physician visits (divided into five specialities). Care consumption clusters were characterized using demographic and clinical features. Results: From 1048 incident and 3180 prevalent PwMS, the MCSA identified 12 and 6 distinct care consumption clusters over a median follow-up of 9.6 and 13.0 years, respectively. Large disparities between clusters were observed; the median number of annual consultations ranged from 5.6 to 21.3 for general practitioners, 1.2 to 4.6 for neurologists and 0 to 5.3 for psychiatrists in the incident cohort. Characteristics at MS symptom onset associated with the highest care consumption included high comorbidity burden and older age. There were similar disparities and associations for prevalent PwMS. Conclusion: The distinct patterns of care consumption, which were reminiscent of the heterogeneity of MS itself, may facilitate health service planning and evaluation, and provide a novel outcome measure in health research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 274-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane Rendalls ◽  
Allan D. Spigelman ◽  
Catherine Goodwin ◽  
Nataliya Daniel

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of consumer and community engagement in health service planning, quality improvement and programme evaluation in Australia, and key components and importance of a strong suite of tools for achieving effective outcomes. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a non-systematic review of Australian national, state and territory websites in relation to policy commitment to consumer engagement, best practice framework for consumer engagement and recent project example. Findings Consumer engagement is a recognised component of the Australian health system. It is reflected in the national and state health policy and is a mandatory requirement of hospital accreditation. The application of co-design principles is gaining increasing popularity in health service planning and programme evaluation. Co-design is an important enabler of patient/community-centred service planning and evaluation; however, on its own it may lead to poorer outcomes. Co-design must occur within a broader systemic framework. Practical implications The research identifies a conceptual framework, approaches and tools of value to health service management and planners. Originality/value Consumer and community engagements are critical to the development of consumer-centric services. However, this should complement and add value to, not divert attention away from established principles of service planning, continuous quality improvement and programme evaluation. To do so may result in poorer quality health and well-being outcomes, reduced efficiency and ultimately reduced consumer and community satisfaction with services. This paper examines consumer and community engagement within the broader planning and quality improvement framework and practical implications for keeping planning, research and evaluation on track.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 68s-68s
Author(s):  
I. Reguilon ◽  
D. Robinson ◽  
J. Butler ◽  
S. Harrison ◽  

Background: Robust and accurate data underpins cancer research, planning, control and comparisons; it shapes the policies and structures of health systems internationally. Access to diagnostics is crucial for timely cancer diagnosis and treatment planning as previous evidence has shown that delays in diagnosis can impact cancer outcomes. It is possible that differences in cancer outcomes internationally are a consequence of differing levels of access to diagnostic tests. By better understanding variation in this access, this relationship can be further explored. However, diagnostic data availability is not currently well documented. Aim: The primary goal of this exercise was to identify already existing routine or national datasets exploring 'access' variables relating to diagnostics for imaging and endoscopy tests. These access variables included capacity, use, workforce, location and financial factors, and where possible specific to the cancer population. Secondly, to address what high-income countries need to improve to fulfill the existing criteria for 'cancer intelligence frameworks', such as those set out by the National Health Service in England. Methods: Mixed methods including online searches and discussion with local contacts were used to explore key diagnostic data variables across the seven participating countries of ICBP phase 2 (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK). Results: Gaps and inconsistencies in diagnostics data were identified in each country. These key issues make comparisons within and between countries challenging: inconsistent definitions, collection at different levels within a health system, and queries about the coverage, reliability, and linkage of data (especially for cancer) were raised. The usage and allocation of workforce is also poorly documented, and a lack of appropriate infrastructure raised as a key barrier to better collection of data. Currently, most countries do not have a centralised data collection organization, and there are no international or standardized definitions for the diagnostic data that should be collected and could be compared. Conclusion: Health data are disparately collected internationally, with little diagnostics data that can be linked to cancer populations. The data sources and gaps identified add weight to existing efforts to improve data collections and health service planning. International agreement on the key performance indicators, their definitions and how best to organize collected data are required to address gaps and enable robust comparisons. These definitions and an understanding of best practice will be useful for middle- and low-income countries who want to develop or start collecting cancer-specific data. Existing 'cancer intelligence' frameworks could be adapted for international use, but rely on the agreement and adoption of standardized definitions and metrics for the cancer population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Waibel ◽  
Janet Williams ◽  
Yasmin Tuff ◽  
Joanne Shum ◽  
Jennifer Scarr ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Providing access to pediatric healthcare services in British Columbia, Canada, presents unique challenges given low population densities spread across large geographic distances combined with a lack of availability of specialist providers in remote areas, leading to quality of care shortcomings and inequalities in care delivery. The study objective was to develop a framework that provides a common language and methodology for defining and planning child and youth healthcare services across the province. Methods The framework was developed in two phases. In Phase 1, a literature and jurisdictional review was completed using the following inclusion criteria: (i) description of a framework focusing on organizing service delivery systems (ii) that supports health service planning, (iii) includes specialty or subspecialty services and (iv) has been published since 2008. In Phase 2, a series of meetings with key provincial stakeholders were held to receive feedback on the developed Tiers of Service framework versions that were based on the literature and jurisdictional review and adjusted to the British Columbian health care context. The final version was endorsed by the Child Health BC Steering Committee. Results Ten medical articles and thirteen jurisdictional papers met the established selection criteria and were included in this study. Most frameworks were developed by the Australian national or state jurisdictions and published in jurisdictional papers (n = 8). Frameworks identified in the medical literature were mainly developed in Canada (n = 3) and the US (n = 3) and focused on maternity, neonatal, critical care and oncology services. Based on feedback received from the expert group, the framework was expanded to include community-based services, prevention and health determinants. The final version of the Tiers of Service framework describes the specific services to be delivered at each tier, which are categorized as Tier 1 (community services) through Tier 6 (sub-specialized services). Two consecutive steps were identified to effectively use the framework for operational and system planning: (i) development of a ‘module’ outlining the responsibilities and requirements to be delivered at each tier; and (ii) assessment of services provided at the health care facility against those described in the module, alignment to a specific tier, identification of gaps at the local, regional and provincial level, and implementation of quality improvement initiatives to effectively address the gaps. Conclusions The benefits of the Tiers of Service framework and accompanying modules for health service planning are being increasingly recognized. Planning and coordinating pediatric health services across the province will help to optimize flow and improve access to high-quality services for children living in British Columbia.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Caron-Roy ◽  
Sayeeda Amber Sayed ◽  
Katrina Milaney ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
Sharlette Dunn ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: The British Columbia Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) provides low-income households with coupons valued at $21/week for 16 weeks to purchase healthy foods in farmers’ markets. Our objective was to explore FMNCP participants’ experiences of accessing nutritious foods, and perceived program outcomes. Design: This study used qualitative description methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with FMNCP participants during the 2019 farmers’ market season. Directed content analysis was used to analyse the data whereby the five domains of Freedman et al’s framework of nutritious food access provided the basis for an initial coding scheme. Data that did not fit within the framework’s domains were coded inductively. Setting: One urban and two rural communities in British Columbia, Canada. Participants: 28 adults who were participating in the FMNCP. Results: Three themes emerged: Autonomy and Dignity; Social Connections and Community Building; and Environmental and Programmatic Constraints. Firstly, the program promoted a sense of autonomy and dignity through financial support, increased access to high-quality produce, food-related education and skill development, and mitigating stigma and shame. Secondly, shopping in farmers’ markets increased social connections and fostered a sense of community. Finally, participants experienced limited food variety in rural farmers’ markets, lack of transportation, and challenges with redeeming coupons. Conclusions: Participation in the FMNCP facilitated access to nutritious foods and enhanced participants’ diet quality, well-being and health. Strategies such as increasing the amount and duration of subsidies, and expanding programs may help improve participants’ experiences and outcomes of farmers’ market food subsidy programs.


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