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I. A profile of attenders at psychiatric outpatient clinics in Ireland's Eastern Health Board Region

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Winifred O'Neill ,
James H O'Boyle ,
Violet Harford ,
Conrad Cooper ,
Teresa Igoe ,
Martin Farrell  and
Paula McKay
Winifred O'Neill
Affiliation:
Dr Steeven's Hospital, EHB, Dublin 8, Ireland
James H O'Boyle
Affiliation:
Area 7, EHB/St Vincent's Hospital, Fairview 3, Dublin, Ireland
Violet Harford
Affiliation:
Community Mental Health Services
Conrad Cooper
Affiliation:
Finance Department EHB
Teresa Igoe
Affiliation:
Finance Department EHB
Martin Farrell
Affiliation:
Area 8, EHB, Dublin 8, Ireland
Paula McKay
Affiliation:
St Loman's Hospital, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, Ireland
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Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the profile of attenders at psychiatric outpatient clinics in community health centres in Dublin.

Method: A chart review was undertaken retrospectively on attenders at two clinics in different socioeconomic areas. Demographic data and information on services was recorded. Psychiatric outpatient clinic functioning in a community setting was observed during the period of the study.

Results: The findings of this study suggest that attenders at psychiatric OPD clinics are more likely to be long-term, in the 40-50 year age group, female, unemployed and eligible for free medical care within the General Medical Services (GMS). Mood (affective) disorders was the largest diagnostic category. There were financial barriers to patient discharge to primary care and shared care with general practitioners.

Conclusions: Opportunitie s have been identified to improve communication and optimise patient flow through the psychiatric OPD system. Such improvements in clinic function would be likely to lead to enhanced health gain for attenders.

Keywords

Psychiatric outpatient clinicsPatient profileClinic functioning
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , March 2000 , pp. 12 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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