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Senior M, Pierce M, Taxiarchi VP, Garg S, Edge D, Newlove-Delgado T, Neufeld SAS, Abel KM. 5-year mental health outcomes for children and adolescents presenting with psychiatric symptoms to general practitioners in England: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry 2024; 11:274-284. [PMID: 38490760 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(24)00038-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little information is available on the clinical trajectories of children and adolescents who attend general practice (GP) with psychiatric symptoms. We aimed to examine 5-year service use in English primary care for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental or mental health symptoms or diagnoses. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we used anonymised primary care health records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database (CPRD-Aurum). We identified children and adolescents (aged 3-18 years) presenting to primary care in England between Jan 1, 2000, and May 9, 2016, with a symptom or diagnosis of a mental health, behavioural, or neurodevelopmental condition. Participants were excluded if they had less than 1 year of follow-up. We followed up participants from their index date until either death, transfer out of the practice, or the end of data collection on May 5, 2021, and for trajectory analysis we limited follow-up to 5 years. We used group-based multi-trajectory models to identify clusters with similar trajectories over 5 years of follow-up for three primary outcomes: mental health-related GP contacts, psychotropic medication prescriptions, and specialist mental health-care contact. We did survival analysis to examine the associations between trajectory-group membership and hospital admission for self-harm or death by suicide, as indicators of severe psychiatric distress. FINDINGS We included 369 340 children and adolescents, of whom 180 863 (49·0%) were girls, 188 438 (51·0%) were boys, 39 (<0·1%) were of indeterminate gender, 290 125 (78·6%) were White, 9161 (2·5%) were South Asian, 10 418 (2·8%) were Black, 8115 (2·2%) were of mixed ethnicity, and 8587 (2·3%) were other ethnicities, and the median age at index presentation was 13·6 years (IQR 8·4-16·7). In the best-fitting, seven-group, group-based multi-trajectory model, over a 5-year period, the largest group (low contact; 207 985 [51·2%]) had low rates of additional service contact or psychotropic prescriptions. The other trajectory groups were moderate, non-pharmacological contact (43 836 [13·0%]); declining contact (25 469 [8·7%]); year-4 escalating contact (18 277 [6·9%]); year-5 escalating contact (18 139; 5·2%); prolonged GP contact (32 147 [8·6%]); and prolonged specialist contact (23 487 [6·5%]). Non-White ethnicity and presentation in earlier study years (eg, 2000-2004) were associated with low-contact group membership. The prolonged specialist-contact group had the highest risk of hospital admission for self-harm (hazard ratio vs low-contact group 2·19 [95% CI 2·03-2·36]) and suicide (2·67 [1·72-4·14]). INTERPRETATION Most children and adolescents presenting to primary care with psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses have low or declining rates of ongoing contact. If these trajectories reflect symptomatic improvement, these findings provide reassurance for children and adolescents and their caregivers. However, these trajectories might reflect an unmet need for some children and adolescents. FUNDING National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morwenna Senior
- Centre for Women's Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Matthias Pierce
- Centre for Women's Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Vicky P Taxiarchi
- Centre for Women's Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Shruti Garg
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Dawn Edge
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, Manchester, UK; NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, UK; NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Kathryn M Abel
- Centre for Women's Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Hickling LM, Dabrowski J, Williams S. Expanding the early intervention offer: A new care pathway for children's wellbeing practitioners in a south London child and adolescent mental health service. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 29:155-167. [PMID: 37688480 PMCID: PMC10748444 DOI: 10.1177/13591045231201195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have been under recent increased demand, with increasingly limited resources, contributing to longer waiting lists, and a growing proportion of rejected referrals due to limited capacity and increasing thresholds. Child and Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs) provide an opportunity to meet the needs of rejected referrals. We aimed to determine the feasibility of a new and direct referral route within a South London CAMHS. All referrals rejected to the local CAMHS in one year were assessed for inclusion to an embedded child and youth wellbeing in schools team (CYWS), and data collected on reasons for rejection, demographics and eligibility for the CYWS team. Of the 1,322 referrals made to CAMHS in this period, 317 were rejected. The most common reason for referral rejection was not meeting the severity threshold. One third of rejected referrals were judged to be eligible for inclusion to the CYWS team. Therefore, a significant number of children and young people (CYP) being rejected by CAMHS would be eligible for assessment and possible treatment under the CYWS team, making a new referral route potentially feasible, allowing more CYP to access mental health support and have a positive impact on waiting times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Hickling
- Department of Psychology, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, UK
| | - Julia Dabrowski
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, UK
| | - Sadie Williams
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, UK
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Banwell E, Humphrey N, Qualter P. Child and adolescent mental health services in a devolved healthcare system: a qualitative exploration of sustainable practices. Health Res Policy Syst 2023; 21:27. [PMID: 37020214 PMCID: PMC10075492 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-00970-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transference of research evidence into routine healthcare practice remains poorly understood. This includes understanding the prerequisites of longer-term viability. The present study investigated the sustainable practices of GM i-THRIVE, a programme which reconceptualizes mental health services for children and young people (CYP) in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. We aimed to establish whether a sustainable future was likely, and to identify areas of focus to improve that likelihood. METHODS The NHS Sustainability Model, typically completed as a questionnaire measure, was converted into interview questions. The responses of nine professionals, from a variety of roles across the CYP mental health workforce, were explored using inductive thematic framework analysis. Selected participants completed the original questionnaire. RESULTS Five themes (communication; support; barriers to implementation; past, present, and future: the implementation journey; and the nuances of GM i-THRIVE) and 21 subthemes formed the final thematic framework. Relationships with senior leaders and with colleagues across the workforce were seen as important. Leaders' roles in providing meaning and fit were emphasized. Whilst training delivered the programme's aims well, monitoring its dissemination was challenging. Widespread issues with dedicating sufficient time to implementation were raised. The flexibility of the programme, which can be applied in multiple ways, was discussed positively. This flexibility links to the idea of GM i-THRIVE as a mindset change, and the uniqueness of this style of intervention was discussed. To varying degrees, themes were supported by responses to the quantitative measure, although several limitations to the use of the questionnaire were discovered. Consequently, they were used to infer conclusions to a lesser degree than originally intended. CONCLUSIONS Professionals involved with GM i-THRIVE reported many elements that indicate a positive future for the programme. However, they suggested that more attention should be given to embedding the core concepts of the model at the current stage of implementation. Limitations relating to its use within our study are discussed, but we conclude that the NHS Sustainability Model is a suitable way of guiding qualitative implementation research. It is especially valuable for localized interventions. The constraints of our small sample size on transferability are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Banwell
- Institute of Education, University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Neil Humphrey
- Institute of Education, University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela Qualter
- Institute of Education, University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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Harding KE, Camden C, Lewis AK, Perreault K, Taylor NF. Service redesign interventions to reduce waiting time for paediatric rehabilitation and therapy services: A systematic review of the literature. Health Soc Care Community 2022; 30:2057-2070. [PMID: 35716009 PMCID: PMC10084082 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite well-documented benefits of rehabilitation and therapy services for children with disabilities, long waiting lists to access these services are common. There is a growing body of evidence, primarily from mixed or adult services, demonstrating that waiting times can be reduced through strategies that target wasteful processes and support services to keep up with demand. However, providers of rehabilitation and therapy services for children face additional complexities related to the long-term nature of many developmental conditions and the need to consider timing of interventions with developmental milestones and education transition points. This review aimed to synthesise available evidence on service redesign strategies in reducing waiting time for paediatric therapy services. We conducted a systematic review of studies conducted in outpatient paediatric rehabilitation or therapy settings, including physical and mental health services, evaluating a service redesign intervention and presenting comparative data on time to access care. Two reviewers independently applied inclusion criteria, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Findings were analysed descriptively and the certainty of evidence was synthesised according to criteria for health service research. From 1934 studies identified, 33 met the criteria for inclusion. Interventions were categorised as rapid response strategies, process efficiency interventions or substitution strategies (using alternative providers in place of medical specialists). Reductions in waiting time were reported in 30 studies. Evidence is limited by study designs with high risk of bias, but this is mitigated by consistency of findings and large effect sizes. There is moderate-certainty evidence that service redesign strategies similar to those used in adult populations can be applied in paediatric rehabilitation and therapy settings to reduce waiting time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Harding
- La Trobe University, School of Allied HealthHuman Services and SportMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Eastern Health Allied Health Clinical Research OfficeBox HillVictoriaAustralia
| | - Chantal Camden
- Sherbrooke University, School of RehabilitationSherbrookeQuébecCanada
| | - Annie K. Lewis
- La Trobe University, School of Allied HealthHuman Services and SportMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Eastern Health Allied Health Clinical Research OfficeBox HillVictoriaAustralia
| | - Kadija Perreault
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale‐NationaleQuébec CityQuébecCanada
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuébec CityQuébecCanada
| | - Nicholas F. Taylor
- La Trobe University, School of Allied HealthHuman Services and SportMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Eastern Health Allied Health Clinical Research OfficeBox HillVictoriaAustralia
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Verhoog S, Eijgermans DGM, Fang Y, Bramer WM, Raat H, Jansen W. Contextual determinants associated with children's and adolescents' mental health care utilization: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022:10.1007/s00787-022-02077-5. [PMID: 36129544 PMCID: PMC9490713 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Determinants at the contextual level are important for children's and adolescents' mental health care utilization, as this is the level where policy makers and care providers can intervene to improve access to and provision of care. The objective of this review was to summarize the evidence on contextual determinants associated with mental health care utilization in children and adolescents. A systematic literature search in five electronic databases was conducted in August 2021 and retrieved 6439 unique records. Based on eight inclusion criteria, 74 studies were included. Most studies were rated as high quality (79.7%) and adjusted for mental health problems (66.2%). The determinants that were identified were categorized into four levels: organizational, community, public policy or macro-environmental. There was evidence of a positive association between mental health care utilization and having access to a school-based health center, region of residence, living in an urban area, living in an area with high accessibility of mental health care, living in an area with high socio-economic status, having a mental health parity law, a mental health screening program, fee-for-service plan (compared to managed care plan), extension of health insurance coverage and collaboration between organizations providing care. For the other 35 determinants, only limited evidence was available. To conclude, this systematic review identifies ten contextual determinants of children's and adolescents' mental health care utilization, which can be influenced by policymakers and care providers. Implications and future directions for research are discussedPROSPERO ID: CRD42021276033.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Verhoog
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D G M Eijgermans
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Y Fang
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W M Bramer
- Medical Library, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Raat
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W Jansen
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Social Development, City of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Fazel M, Rocks S, Glogowska M, Stepney M, Tsiachristas A. How does reorganisation in child and adolescent mental health services affect access to services? An observational study of two services in England. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250691. [PMID: 33951078 PMCID: PMC8099077 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in England are making significant changes to improve access and effectiveness. This 'transformation' variously involves easier access to services through a Single Point of Access (SPA), more integrated services within CAMHS and enhanced co-provision across education and third sector or non-profit organisations. METHODS A mixed-methods observational study was conducted to explore the process and impact of transformation over four years in two services. Ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews were conducted and Electronic Patient Records with over one million contacts analysed. Difference-in-differences analysis with propensity score matching to estimate the causal impact of the transformation on patient access was utilised. OUTCOMES Spend and staffing increased across both CAMHS. The SPA had growing rates of self-referral and new care pathways were seeing patients according to expected degree of psychopathology. Third sector partners were providing increasing numbers of low-intensity interventions. Although the majority of staff were supportive of the changes, the process of transformation led to service tensions. In the first year after transformation there was no change in the rate of new patients accessing services or new spells (episodes of care) in the services. However, by year three, the number of new patients accessing CAMHS was 19% higher (Incidence Rate Ratio: 1·19, CI: 1·16, 1·21) and the rate of new spells was 12% higher (Incidence Rate Ratio: 1·12, CI: 1·05, 1·20). INTERPRETATION Transformation investment, both financial and intellectual, can help to increase access to CAMHS in England, but time is needed to realise the benefits of reorganisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephen Rocks
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Health Economics Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret Glogowska
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Stepney
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Apostolos Tsiachristas
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Health Economics Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Rocks S, Glogowska M, Stepney M, Tsiachristas A, Fazel M. Introducing a single point of access (SPA) to child and adolescent mental health services in England: a mixed-methods observational study. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:623. [PMID: 32641117 PMCID: PMC7346657 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05463-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In many high-income countries, primary care practitioners are the main point of referral for specialist mental health services. In England, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are increasingly adopting a Single Point of Access (SPA) to streamline referrals and introduce self and parent/carer-referrals. This involves a significant shift of responsibility from primary care towards CAMHS who adopt a more active role as gatekeeper for their service. This study evaluates the adoption of a SPA in CAMHS across a large region in England. METHODS We conducted an observational mixed methods study in two CAMHS from January 2018 to March 2019 to evaluate the adoption of a SPA. We collected quantitative data from electronic patient records and qualitative data through ethnographic observation and in-depth interviews of staff and stakeholders with experience of using CAMHS. Additional data on volumes was shared directly from the SPAs and a further snapshot of 1 week's users was collected. RESULTS A similar SPA model emerged across the two services. Staff were positive about what the model could achieve and access rates grew quickly following awareness-raising activities. Despite the initial focus being on a telephone line, online referrals became the more regularly used referral method. Increased access brought challenges in terms of resourcing, including identifying the right staff for the role of call handlers. A further challenge was to impose consistency on triage decisions, which required structured information collection during the assessment process. Similar to GP referrals, those self-referring via the SPA were mainly from the least deprived areas. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of a SPA has the potential to improve young people's access to mental health services. By addressing some of the barriers to access, simplifying where to go to get help and making it easier to contact the service directly, a SPA can help more individuals and families access timely support. However, the introduction of a SPA does not in itself expand the capacity of CAMHS, and therefore expectations within services and across sectors need to be tempered accordingly. SPA services providing different referral approaches can further improve access for the harder to reach populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Rocks
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, England
- The Health Foundation, 8 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8AP, England
| | - Margaret Glogowska
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Rd, Oxford, OX2 6GG, England
| | - Melissa Stepney
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Rd, Oxford, OX2 6GG, England
| | - Apostolos Tsiachristas
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, England
| | - Mina Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, England.
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