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Kourgiantakis T, Markoulakis R, Lee E, Hussain A, Lau C, Ashcroft R, Goldstein AL, Kodeeswaran S, Williams CC, Levitt A. Access to mental health and addiction services for youth and their families in Ontario: perspectives of parents, youth, and service providers. Int J Ment Health Syst 2023; 17:4. [PMID: 36918893 PMCID: PMC10011786 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-023-00572-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canadian youth (aged 16-24) have the highest rates of mental health and addiction concerns across all age groups and the most unmet health care needs. There are many structural barriers that contribute to the unmet mental health care needs of youth including lack of available and appropriate services, high costs, long wait times, fragmented and siloed services, lack of smooth transition between child and adult services, stigma, racism, and discrimination, as well as lack of culturally appropriate treatments. Levesque et al. (2013) developed a framework to better understand health care access and this framework conceptualizes accessibility across five dimensions: (1) approachability, (2) availability, (3) affordability, (4) appropriateness, and (5) acceptability. The purpose of this study was to explore access to addiction and mental health services for youth in Ontario, Canada from the perspectives of youth, parents, and service providers. METHODS This qualitative study was a university-community partnership exploring the experiences of youth with mental health concerns and their families from the perspectives of youth, caregivers, and service providers. We conducted semi-structured interviews and used thematic analysis to analyze data. RESULTS The study involved 25 participants (n = 11 parents, n = 4 youth, n = 10 service providers). We identified six themes related to structural barriers impacting access to youth mental health and services: (1) "The biggest barrier in accessing mental health support is where to look," (2) "There's always going to be a waitlist," (3) "I have to have money to be healthy," (4) "They weren't really listening to my issues," (5) "Having more of a welcoming and inclusive system," and (6) "Health laws aren't doing what they need to do." CONCLUSION Our study identified five structural barriers that map onto the Levesque et al. healthcare access conceptual framework and a sixth structural barrier that is not adequately captured by this model which focuses on policies, procedures, and laws. The findings have implications for policies and service provisions, and underline the urgent need for a mental health strategy that will increase access to care, improve mental health in youth, decrease burden on parents, and reduce inequities in mental health policies and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toula Kourgiantakis
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada.
| | - Roula Markoulakis
- Family Navigation Project, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eunjung Lee
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Amina Hussain
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Carrie Lau
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Rachelle Ashcroft
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Abby L Goldstein
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sugy Kodeeswaran
- Family Navigation Project, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charmaine C Williams
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Anthony Levitt
- Family Navigation Project, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Kokorelias KM, Markoulakis R, Hitzig SL. Considering a Need for Dementia-Specific, Family-Centered Patient Navigation in Canada. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:19-27. [PMID: 36503280 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221125781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient navigation has been proposed as a novel family-centered, integrated care model to address the care needs of persons living with dementia and their family caregivers by helping them navigate the complex range of dementia services offered in hospital and community settings. A key informant qualitative descriptive study explored the perspectives of 48 healthcare professionals to explore the need for dementia-specific patient navigation. Data were analyzed thematically. We identified one overarching theme: "Variability in the Need for Illness-Specific Patient Navigation" and five themes that highlight considerations when providing navigation to individuals with dementia: (1) Taking Part in Ongoing Training, (2) Addressing Stigma, (3) Focusing on Quality of Life, (4) Defining Home, and (5) A Continuous Process of Support. These themes provide preliminary insights into the conceptual differences about the need for illness-specific patient navigation and the areas within patient navigation where healthcare professionals are encouraged to find consensus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina M Kokorelias
- St John's Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 574553Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roula Markoulakis
- Family Navigation Project, 574553Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sander L Hitzig
- St John's Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 574553Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada to, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Markoulakis R, Arora SRA, Kodeeswaran S, Di Febo M, Kuuter L, Fleming J, Walsh C, Hauser A, Cleverley K, Hitzig SL, Kokorelias K, Cheung A, Willis D, Levitt A. Navigation for youth mental health and addictions: protocol for a realist review and synthesis of approaches and practices (The NavMAP standards project). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e068211. [PMID: 36332944 PMCID: PMC9639113 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mental health and/or addiction (MHA) concerns affect approximately 1.2 million children and youth in Canada, yet less than 20% receive appropriate treatment for these concerns. Youth who do not receive appropriate support may disengage from care and may experience lasting MHA issues. Families of these youth also support them in finding and accessing care. Thus, system supports are needed to help youth and their families find and equitably access appropriate care. Navigation is an innovation in MHA care, providing patient-centred support and care planning that helps individuals and families overcome barriers to care. Despite the increasing availability of navigation services for youth with MHA concerns, practices and models vary, and no single source has synthesised evidence regarding approaches and outcomes for this population into comprehensive standards. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The proposed research will bring together evidence in youth MHA navigation, to establish this important system support as a factor that can enhance the integration and continuity of care for these youth. Our team, which includes researchers, administrators, clinical leads, an MHA navigator and youth and caregivers with lived experience, will be involved in all project stages. Realist Review and Synthesis methodology will be used, the stages of which include: defining scope, searching for evidence, appraising studies and extracting data, synthesising evidence and developing conclusions, and disseminating findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval is not required, as the study involves review of existing data. Dissemination plans include scientific publications and conferences and online products for stakeholders and the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roula Markoulakis
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Liisa Kuuter
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Fleming
- Youth Advisory Council, Family Navigation Project at Sunnybrook, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cathy Walsh
- Family Advisory Council, Family Navigation Project at Sunnybrook, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adina Hauser
- Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristin Cleverley
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sander L Hitzig
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Amy Cheung
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Willis
- Keystone Child, Youth, and Family Services, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony Levitt
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Gardiner E, Wong V, Miller AR. Proceedings of the BC Summit on Navigation for Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Differences, Disabilities, and Special Needs. BMC Proc 2022; 16:1. [PMID: 35581655 PMCID: PMC9112278 DOI: 10.1186/s12919-022-00232-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient navigation (PN) represents a branch of service delivery traditionally aimed at coordinating disjointed care services for patients with particular health conditions (e.g., cancer, HIV, diabetes). Over time, this approach has been extended to various social and health contexts, including most recently to children with neurodisability and their families. In this context, PN involves the provision of information, advice, education, and emotional support, coordination of services both within and across sectors, and the work is guided by person- and family-centred principles of practice. This manuscript documents the proceedings of the BC Summit on Navigation for Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Differences, Disabilities, and Special Needs, which took place on January 18 and 19, 2021 and was developed in collaboration with a Provincial Advisory Group. Our Summit brought together over 120 individuals, including researchers, government personnel, service providers, educators, healthcare workers, and family advocates. As part of the event, attendees learned from families with lived experience navigating the British Columbian (BC) service system, from BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute investigators, and from exemplar providers who deliver navigation services in various contexts (e.g., locally, regionally, and provincially). Attendees also participated in various engagement opportunities, and collaboratively identified directions for developing a future community of navigation and related services in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Gardiner
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada. .,Division of Developmental Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada.
| | - Vivian Wong
- Sunny Hill Health Centre at BC Children's Hospital, 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Anton R Miller
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.,Division of Developmental Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
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