The journal of mental health policy and economics
-
J Ment Health Policy Econ · Jun 2021
Observational StudyCharacteristics and Healthcare Burden of Patients with Schizophrenia Treated in a US Integrated Healthcare System.
Schizophrenia is one of 15 major causes of disability worldwide and is responsible for more than USD 150 billion in annual healthcare costs in the United States. Although the burden of schizophrenia as measured by healthcare resource utilization (HRU) is known to be considerable, data generally come from claims databases or healthcare systems/payors representing only a subset of patients, such as Medicare/Medicaid recipients. A broader understanding of HRU across the schizophrenia patient population would help identify underserved groups and inform strategies for improving healthcare delivery. ⋯ Population health management strategies focusing on efficient resource allocation and improving healthcare quality are needed to reduce the burden of schizophrenia. Differential findings by race/ethnicity, age, and sex indicate the need for optimizing approaches to care in these subgroups.
-
J Ment Health Policy Econ · Sep 2020
Psychological Distress and Coronavirus Fears During the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant health and economic crisis around the world. The U.S. saw a rapid escalation in laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and related deaths in March, 2020. The financial consequences of a virtual economic shutdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus are widespread and debilitating, with over 30 million Americans (about 20% of the labor force) filing for unemployment benefits since mid-March. During these unprecedented times, it is important to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological distress and overall fear associated with the virus. ⋯ The relatively high mean score (21.12) for psychological distress during early stages of the pandemic suggests government officials, policy-makers, and public health advocates should act quickly to address emerging mental health problems.
-
J Ment Health Policy Econ · Jun 2020
Determinants of Boarding of Patients with Severe Mental Illness in Hospital Emergency Departments.
Boarding of patients in hospital emergency departments (EDs) occurs routinely across the U.S. ED patients with behavioral health conditions are more likely to be boarded than other patients. However, the existing literature on ED boarding of psychiatric patients remains largely descriptive and has not empirically related mental health system capacity to psychiatric boarding. Nor does it show how the mental health system could better address the needs of populations at the highest risk of ED boarding. ⋯ Continued investment in mental health system resources may reduce psychiatric ED visits and mitigate the psychiatric ED boarding problem.
-
J Ment Health Policy Econ · Mar 2018
Changes in the Utilization of Mental Health Care Services and Mental Health at the Onset of Medicare.
The onset of Medicare eligibility at age 65 in the U.S. is accompanied by significant changes in health insurance coverage rates. This presents a unique opportunity to study the interaction among health insurance, health care utilization, and health outcomes. ⋯ Future research that evaluates whether additional factors, such as residing in a mental health shortage area, can explain the imprecise estimate on mental health visits would be useful. Additionally, future studies that examine the interaction between private insurance and Medicare coverage would better explain the dynamic changes that occur at age 65, and how shifting coverage patterns interact with mental health care utilization rates.
-
J Ment Health Policy Econ · Mar 2017
ReviewPERSPECTIVES: Accountability for Mental Health: The Australian Experience.
Australia was one of the first countries to develop a national policy for mental health. A persistent characteristic of all these policies has been their reference to the importance of accountability. What does this mean exactly and have we achieved it? Can Australia tell if anybody is getting better? ⋯ Existing systems of accountability are not fit for purpose, incapable of firing necessary quality improvement processes. Supported by adequate resources, realistic targets and a culture of openness, new accountability could drive real quality improvement processes for mental health, facilitate jurisdictional comparisons in Australia, and contribute to new efforts to benchmark mental health internationally.