European Psychiatry
Volume 27, Issue 7, 2012, Pages 500-505

Association of treatment delay, migration and urbanicity in psychosis (Article) (Open Access)

Boonstra N.* , Sterk B. , Wunderink L. , Sytema S. , De Haan L. , Wiersma D.
  • a Friesland Mental Health Care Service, Department of Education and Research, PO Box 932, 8901 Leeuwarden, Netherlands, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands, NHL University of Applied Science, Institute of Healthcare and Welfare Studies, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
  • b Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Friesland Mental Health Care Service, Department of Education and Research, PO Box 932, 8901 Leeuwarden, Netherlands
  • d Department of psychiatry (CC72), University Center of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, Netherlands
  • e Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f Department of psychiatry (CC72), University Center of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Several factors may contribute to duration of untreated psychosis (DUP): patient-delay, referral-delay and treatment-delay caused by mental health care services (MHS-delay). In order to find the most effective interventions to reduce DUP, it is important to know what factors in these pathways to care contribute to DUP. Aim: To examine the relationship of the constituents of treatment delay, migration status and urbanicity. Method: In first episode psychotic patients (n=182) from rural, urban and highly urbanized areas, DUP, migration status and pathways to care were determined. Results: Mean DUP was 53.6 weeks (median 8.9, SD. =116.8). Patient-delay was significantly longer for patients from highly urbanized areas and for first generation immigrants. MHS-delay was longer for patients who were treated already by MHS for other diagnoses. Conclusions: Specific interventions are needed focusing on patients living in highly urbanized areas and first generation immigrants in order to shorten patient delay. MHS should improve early detection of psychosis in patients already in treatment for other diagnosis. © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS.

Author Keywords

Early intervention Migration First episode Urbanicity DUP Treatment delay

Index Keywords

urban population urban area rural area immigrant human middle aged psychosis priority journal Mental Health Services Urbanization Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female patient referral Psychotic Disorders Article major clinical study adult migration correlational study therapy delay Patient Acceptance of Health Care disease association early diagnosis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84866451379&doi=10.1016%2fj.eurpsy.2011.05.001&partnerID=40&md5=a497e4b763b418622620cfc97b574ba1
DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2011.05.001
ISSN: 09249338
Cited by: 29
Original Language: English