Neighbourhood Variation and Inequity of Primary Health Service Use by Mothers from London–Middlesex, Ontario

Abstract Indolent lymphomas are incurable but slow-growing cancers, resulting in a large number of older adults living with these diseases. Patients typically live with their illness for years with the knowledge that disease progression is likely. Yet, little is known about psychological distress in this population. This study examined rates of and the relationship between distress and mental health service use in older and younger adults with indolent lymphomas. Adult patients diagnosed with an indolent lymphoma (e.g., follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma) within the past six months completed self-report surveys of distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS) and mental health service use since the cancer diagnosis (yes/no). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square analyses were used to examine study questions. The sample (n=84) included 35 patients 65 years or older. Across the entire sample, 21.4% screened positive for distress on the HADS; 58.8% of these patients did not receive mental health services. Older adults reported lower distress levels than younger adults (17.1% v. 24.5%; p=.038). Among younger adults, 50% of distressed patients received mental health services; only 20% of distressed older adults received mental health services. Distress was associated with mental health service use in younger adults (p=.004) but not in older adults (p=.17). Older adults with indolent lymphomas have higher levels of untreated distress than younger adults. Research on the mechanisms underlying these age differences (e.g., stigma toward mental health services, ageism) would inform interventions to increase rates of mental health service use and reduce care disparities due to age.

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Assessing Adolescent Mental Health Service Use: Developing the Adolescent Mental Health Support Scale (AMHSS)

School Mental Health ◽

10.1007/s12310-021-09460-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Greif Green ◽

Rachel Oblath ◽

Shari Kessel Schneider ◽

Melanie Miller

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Service Use ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service Use ◽

Health Service Use ◽

Adolescent Mental Health Service ◽

Mental Health Support ◽

Health Support

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A qualitative study of home care client and caregiver experiences with a complex cardio-respiratory management model

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02251-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Connie Schumacher ◽

Darly Dash ◽

Fabrice Mowbray ◽

Lindsay Klea ◽

Andrew Costa

Keyword(s):

Health Service ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Home Care ◽

Therapeutic Relationship ◽

Service Use ◽

Management Model ◽

Health Service Use ◽

Self Management ◽

Home Based ◽

Respiratory Management

Abstract Background Home care clients are typically older and have some degree of medical, physical, cognitive or social conditions that require formal or informal support to promote healthy aging in the community. Home care clients contribute a significant proportion of health service use, including emergency department visits. The DIVERT-CARE trial introduced a cardio-respiratory management model to improve client motivation, symptoms and rates of unwarranted health service use. Our objective was to explore the perceptions and experiences of individuals who participated in the DIVERT-CARE self-management support and education intervention. Methods A qualitative study was nested within a pragmatic randomized control trial and conducted following a 15-week multi-component cardio-respiratory intervention. A phenomenological descriptive design was employed using thematic analysis. Post-intervention, clients and their caregivers were invited to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview. Interview questions were designed to elicit the experience with the intervention components. Results A total of 29 interviews were completed from June 2018 to March 2020 from participants in Ontario, Newfoundland, and British Columbia. Three themes were identified; self-care trajectory and burden of responsibility, learning and behaviour change, and feeling connected pre-emptively to care providers, the information and medical advice, and connection through the therapeutic relationship. Conclusions Home care clients experience unique challenges in managing cardio-respiratory related chronic disease. Home-based interventions fostered a therapeutic relationship of connectedness while equipping clients with necessary knowledge and skills. These results inform recommendations for community nursing, and home-based self-management supports for older community-residing individuals.

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