International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Volume 58, Issue 5, 2012, Pages 505-511

Migrant pathways to community mental health centres in Italy (Article)

Tarricone I.* , Stivanello E. , Ferrari S. , Colombini N. , Bolla E. , Braca M. , Giubbarelli C. , Costantini C. , Cazzamalli S. , Mimmi S. , Tedesco D. , Menchetti M. , Rigatelli M. , Maso E. , Balestrieri M. , Vender S. , Berardi D.
  • a Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale Pepoli 5, 40123 Bologna, Italy, Mental Health Department, AUSL, Bologna, Italy
  • b Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Bologna, Italy
  • c Department of Mental Health, AUSL, Modena, Italy
  • d Department of Psychiatry, University of Modena, Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • e Department of Clinical Medicine, University Insubria, Varese, Italy
  • f Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale Pepoli 5, 40123 Bologna, Italy
  • g Department of Psychiatry, University of Modena, Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • h Department of Clinical Medicine, University Insubria, Varese, Italy
  • i University Insubria, Varese, Italy
  • j Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Bologna, Italy
  • k Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Bologna, Italy
  • l Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale Pepoli 5, 40123 Bologna, Italy, Mental Health Department, AUSL, Bologna, Italy
  • m Department of Psychiatry, University of Modena, Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • n Psychiatric Clinic, AOUD, Udine, Italy
  • o Psychiatric Clinic, DISM, University of Udine, Italy
  • p Department of Clinical Medicine, University Insubria, Varese, Italy
  • q Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale Pepoli 5, 40123 Bologna, Italy, Mental Health Department, AUSL, Bologna, Italy

Abstract

Background: Many studies indicate that migrants in western countries have limited access to and low utilization of community mental health centres (CMHCs) despite the high prevalence of mental disorders. Aims: We aimed to compare migrant pathways to care across four CMHCs located in different Italian provinces and to identify pathway to care predictors. Methods: Migrants attending the four CMHCs between 1 July 1999 and 31 December 2007 were included in the study. Data were gathered retrospectively from clinical data sets and chart review. Results: Five hundred and eleven (511) migrants attended the four CMHCs, 61% were referred by GPs or other health services and 39% followed non-medical pathways to care (self-referral or through social and voluntary organizations), with important site variations. Younger age and being married were predictors of medical pathways to care; lacking a residence permit and having a diagnosis of substance abuse were related to non-medical pathways. Conclusions: Pathways to CMHCs are complex and influenced by many factors. Non-medical pathways to care seem to be frequent among migrants in Italy. More attention should be paid to developing psychiatric consultation liaison models that also encompass the social services and voluntary organizations. © The Author(s) 2011.

Author Keywords

Italy Migrants community mental health centres pathways to care

Index Keywords

Community Mental Health Centers psychological aspect human middle aged statistics Medical Audit Humans male female Article Retrospective Studies adult migration Utilization Review Italy Transients and Migrants retrospective study Health Services Accessibility health care delivery community mental health center
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84865491394&doi=10.1177%2f0020764011409523&partnerID=40&md5=344bc1dc3a3a4c82a59cd54075833d22
DOI: 10.1177/0020764011409523
ISSN: 00207640
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English