Mental Health Service Use for Adult Patients With Co-occurring Depression and Physical Chronic Health Care Needs, 2007–2010

Bibliographic Data

ID9104901
AuthorsMónica Pérez Jolles (0000-0002-7855-456X, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, corresponding author), Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, Lindsey Haynes‐Maslow (0000-0001-9571-1478, Union of Concerned Scientists), Megan C Roberts (0000-0003-3434-2773, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Stacie B Dusetzina (0000-0002-3907-9196, Segeberger Kliniken)
Year2015
Volume53
Issue8
Pages708-712
Publication date2015-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0025-7079 • E-ISSN: 1537-1948
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/mlr.0000000000000389
PMID26147863
OpenAlexW2404665044
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited23

BACKGROUND: Individuals with mental illness experience poor health and may die prematurely from chronic illness. Understanding whether the presence of co-occurring chronic physical health conditions complicates mental health treatment is important, particularly among patients seeking treatment in primary care settings. OBJECTIVES: Examine (1) whether the presence of chronic physical conditions is associated with mental health service use for individuals with depression who visit a primary care physician, and (2) whether race modifies this relationship. RESEARCH DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a survey of patient-visits collected annually from a random sample of 3000 physicians in office-based settings. SUBJECTS: Office visits from 2007 to 2010 were pooled for adults aged 35-85 with a depression diagnosis at the time of visit (N=3659 visits). MEASURES: Mental health services were measured using a dichotomous variable indicating whether mental health services were provided during the office visit or a referral made for: (1) counseling, including psychotherapy and other mental health counseling and/or (2) prescribing of psychotropic medications. RESULTS: Most patient office visits (70%) where a depression diagnosis was recorded also had co-occurring chronic physical conditions recorded. The presence of at least 1 physical chronic condition was associated with a 6% decrease in the probability of receiving any mental health services (P<0.05). There were no differences in service use by race/ethnicity after controlling for other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Additional research is needed on medical care delivery among patients with co-occurring health conditions, particularly as the health care system moves toward an integrated care model

Ambulatory · Ambulatory care · Depression (economics) · Family medicine · Health care · Mental health · Psychiatry · Referral · Cardiac Health and Mental Health · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Schizophrenia research and treatment