scholarly journals An Analysis of Admissions to a Refugee Child Mental Health Unit in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452110583
Author(s):  
Hatice Ünver ◽  
Neşe Perdahlı Fiş

Background To examine the admissions to a refugee child outpatient mental health unit in the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare them with the pre-pandemic period. Methods This retrospective observational study, planned through the hospital information system and patient files, included the 1-year number of outpatient unit admissions, sociodemographic, and clinical data. Results Before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2019–February 2020), a total of 2322 patients (local and refugee) applied to the same unit, and 236 (10.1%) of these patients were refugees. Since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey (March 2020–February 2021), 1209 patients applied, and 10.4% ( n = 126) of them were refugees. While 19.66 ± 6.31 refugees applied per month in the pre-pandemic period, this number decreased to 10.50 ± 5.31 during the pandemic period ( p = 0.01). During the pandemic period, there was a significant decrease in the number of female refugee patient admissions. In addition, while admissions for external disorders increased significantly during the pandemic period ( x 2 = 13.99, p = 0.001), admissions for internal disorders decreased significantly ( x 2 = 4.54, p = 0.03). Conclusions The decrease in the mental health unit demands with the pandemic may lead to negative consequences in the long term. To determine mental health and psychological needs of patients during the outbreak will greatly contribute to the pandemic management process.

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 554-554
Author(s):  
P. Martínez Gómez ◽  
L. Vigo Santamariña ◽  
J. Portillo Díez ◽  
J. Brenlla González

IntroductionIt is interesting to note somatic comorbidity of psychiatric patients that attend an outpatient Mental Health Unit (MHU). In medical literature there are few studies that reflect which diseases make these patients go to an Emergency Room (ER).ObjectivesTo determine the percentage of patients presenting to an ER in the year prior to psychiatric consultation in a MHU, noting which is the most common assitance and the differences regarding sex, age and marital status.MethodsRetrospective and descriptive study of ER assistances at the Hospital Clínico de Santiago in the previous year of patients attending our MHU. Time period: from February 1st 2010 to August 31th 2010. Once collected the data, these are analyzed using the Excel 2008 Statistical Package for Mac.ResultsFrom 577 patients studied (68.3% women), 224 had gone at least once to the ER in the last year (72.3% women): 19.6% consulted for psychiatric conditions and 80.4% for somatic causes. Among the predominant somatic complaints we found musculoskeletal causes (24.4%), cardiovascular (8.8%), respiratory (9.4%) and gynecological (2.7%). 3% of them were hospitalized in medical or surgical services and 3% in psychiatric units. There was not statistically significant differences regarding their age. Married and divorced patients went to the ER more than bachelors or widowers.ConclusionsProfile of the studied patient: “Woman, 53 years old, married, user of an outpatient MHU and that has consulted at least once in the last year to an ER due to musculoeskeletal cause.”


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Hatice Ünver ◽  
Veysi Çeri ◽  
Onur Tugce Poyraz Findik ◽  
Ayşe Rodopman Arman

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S607-S607
Author(s):  
L. González ◽  
B. Pecino ◽  
C. Gomez ◽  
M. Anibarro ◽  
C. Ortigosa

IntroductionAdjustment disorders are a common psychiatric disorder in primary care and mental health units, with point prevalence estimates ranging from 0.9% to 2.3%. These disorders have been recently defined as a stress response syndrome in the fifth edition of the DSM, causing emotional and social difficulties and also a large economic burden on society.ObjectivesThe aim of this descriptional study was to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics and treatment of the patients diagnosed with adjustment disorders in the first visit in a mental health unit.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 128 patients admitted for a psychiatric consultation in a mental health unit in Alicante (Spain) from their primary care physician, between February and July 2016. Variables of gender, age, current employment status, diagnosis and treatment were measured. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software.ResultsThe data from 31 patients who were diagnosed with adjustment disorders meant a 24% of the sample. The median age was 47 years old in the adjustment disorders group. Among those with adjustment disorders, 61% were women, and 52% of them were unemployed. Almost 60% of them had at least one pychotropic prescription and only 22% were derived to psychology.ConclusionsAdjustment disorders are considered as an intermediate category between no mental disorder and affective disorders. Most authors recommend to start with a psychotherapeutic intervention. Despite starting with medication has not proved effectiveness in the studies, most of the patients had at least one psychotropic prescription before the psychiatric evaluation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Cowman ◽  
P. Whitty

ObjectiveThere is a dearth of information relating to the prevalence of housing needs among psychiatric in-patients in Ireland. Most of the information we have to date emerged as a result of attempts to plan for the closure of old psychiatric hospitals and inappropriate community residences. This study sought to identify the prevalence of housing needs among in-patients in the acute psychiatric unit in Tallaght Hospital.MethodsEach week, over a 12-month period, nursing managers and/or key nurses who knew the patients well were asked for numerical data. Information was collected on the numbers of in-patients with accommodation needs, number of delayed discharges due to accommodation needs and number of discharges to homeless accommodation in the previous week.ResultsOn average, 38% of in-patients had accommodation related needs at any one time. Most (98%) of delayed discharges had accommodation related needs. Delayed discharge in-patients with accommodation needs accounted for 28% of all inpatients and for 72% of all inpatients with accommodation related needs.ConclusionsAccommodation need among psychiatric in-patients is underreported. Housing need data should be routinely collected and effective interagency strategies developed to address housing needs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 302-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Thomas ◽  
Barry Chipchase ◽  
Lisa Rippon ◽  
Paul McArdle

SummaryWe review a case history of a young child who was admitted to an in-patient mental health unit due to extremely challenging behaviour and review the legal issues that had to be considered in ensuring that there was appropriate legal authority for the child's admission and treatment. In this particular case, the patient was detained for assessment under section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This case demonstrates that all clinicians working in this area require a good understanding of the law in relation to treatment of children with mental disorder, which is extremely complex.


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