The psychiatric inpatient treatment of children and youth in general hospitals

Bibliographic Data

ID11054002
AuthorsCharles A Kiesler (Vanderbilt University), Celeste G Simpkins (Vanderbilt University), Celeste Simpkins, Teru L Morton (Vanderbilt University), Teru Morton
Year1989
Volume17
Issue6
Pages821-830
Publication date1989-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Community Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-0562 • E-ISSN: 1573-2770
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1007/bf00922740
PMID2636541
OpenAlexW1976156603
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited9

National attention has recently focused on the mental health needs and services of children and youth. The lack of outpatient services and their coordination has been noted, as well as the consequent press towards inpatient care. We describe the inpatient treatment of children and adolescents (ages 0-18) in short-term, non-Federal general hospitals in 1980. Nationally, 128,300 children were treated for mental disorders in general hospitals at an estimated cost of over $1.5 billion. Compared to adults, children were more likely to be treated in scatter beds (vs. specialty units); have a diagnosis of mental disorder (vs. alcohol/drug disorder); stay much longer; and pay with commercial insurance. Previous work focusing on psychiatric units of general hospitals identified less than 40% of the total episodes, a figure very similar to that for adults. The majority of psychiatric inpatient episodes for children and youth in the United States takes place in short-term general hospitals. Community psychologists need to be aware of national trends in inpatient care and be involved in the development and promulgation of alternative models of care

Citation · Library science · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Child and Adolescent Health · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Computer Science · Medicine · Psychology

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