Abstract

MONTILLA, José F. et al. Use of spanish mental health services during the first year of ambulatory attendance. Rev. Asoc. Esp. Neuropsiq. [online]. 2002, n.84, pp.25-47. ISSN 2340-2733.

Objectives: In this paper we explore the ambulatory MHS use in three different Spanish areas (Basque Country, Madrid and Sevilla) looking for similarities and divergences between them. This analysis will give us a better understanding of our activity, allowing us to propose changes in the MHS organization to improve the attendance provided. Material and Method: This study includes 3.696 ambulatory patients attended in the MHS of Fuenlabrada and Getafe (Madrid), Basauri and Galdakao (Vizcaya, Basque Country) and Camas and Carmona (Sevilla, Andalusia) during 1.996. Data of their first MHS visit and of the use of ambulatory resources during the subsequent year were collected. The resource consumption was measure through the number of ambulatory visits and the total time spent in the assistance. Results and conclusions: The ambulatory mental health resources use is associated with sex (higher in women), age (higher in younger patients), educational level (higher in patients having primary certificate), MHS (higher in the Basque MHS and lower in the Andalusian MHS), referring service (higher when patients are referred from non-health system services) and the diagnosis (higher in patients diagnosed as having schizophrenia, mood psychosis or eating disorders. Differences between participating MHS are probably explained by unequal staff resources.

Keywords : Community Mental Health Services; Ambulatory care; Follow-up studies; Community Psychiatry; Health care surveys.

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