title: [Use of health services in Puerto Rico by persons with mental disorders].
abstract: As part of a major study on the prevalence of mental disorders in Puerto Rico, this paper describes the mental health care utilization patterns of persons with a DIS/DSM-III disorder within the last year. The main findings of this analysis show that (a) There is a high rate of health service utilization, (b) The public sector is the main provider of services, (c) People with a DIS disorder tend to resort to the non-psychiatric physician, (d) People with alcohol abuse and/or dependence tend to use the services of general practitioners while schizophrenics, somatizers, and people with cognitive impairment tend to apply for the services of mental health specialists. Seeking help from other sources such as clergymen or spiritualists does not substitute the use of health services.
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sesman Rodríguez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Canino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubio-Stipec
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology
vernacular_title: Utilización de servicios de salud en Puerto Rico por personas con trastornos mentales.