Journal article
Are immigrants at a disadvantage in psychiatric in-patient care?
- 2005-04-12
Published in:
- Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica. - 2005
Adolescent
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Catchment Area, Health
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic Groups
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders
Patient Admission
Psychiatric Department, Hospital
Sex Factors
Switzerland
English
OBJECTIVE
To assess the utilization of psychiatric in-patient care among immigrants, and to compare immigrants and natives with respect to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
METHOD
Analysing a sample of 23 377 consecutive referrals to psychiatric hospitals of a catchment area in 1995-2001.
RESULTS
Within this sample, 20% were foreign nationals. Rates of psychotic disorders were similar in immigrants and natives. Regarding other diagnoses, sociodemographic and clinical measures, there were significant differences. Most immigrant groups had higher rates of compulsory admission, were more likely to be admitted with lower illness severity and not to be readmitted, and spent significantly shorter time in hospital, compared with Swiss in-patients. Some of these differences were clearly gender-specific.
CONCLUSION
Service utilization and psychiatric treatment decisions are not explained merely by illness-related aspects in immigrants. Social and cultural factors have to be recognized in order to prevent disadvantages in psychiatric care.
To assess the utilization of psychiatric in-patient care among immigrants, and to compare immigrants and natives with respect to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
METHOD
Analysing a sample of 23 377 consecutive referrals to psychiatric hospitals of a catchment area in 1995-2001.
RESULTS
Within this sample, 20% were foreign nationals. Rates of psychotic disorders were similar in immigrants and natives. Regarding other diagnoses, sociodemographic and clinical measures, there were significant differences. Most immigrant groups had higher rates of compulsory admission, were more likely to be admitted with lower illness severity and not to be readmitted, and spent significantly shorter time in hospital, compared with Swiss in-patients. Some of these differences were clearly gender-specific.
CONCLUSION
Service utilization and psychiatric treatment decisions are not explained merely by illness-related aspects in immigrants. Social and cultural factors have to be recognized in order to prevent disadvantages in psychiatric care.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00509.x
- PMID 15819729
- Persistent URL
- https://folia.unifr.ch/global/documents/179354
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