title: The need for adolescent units: general issues.
abstract: There is a growing demand for psychiatric services for adolescents in Australia. The provision of residential treatment units as part of such a service raises a number of issues. This paper examines the questions whether such units are effective, whether justified, and what the optimal numbers of beds and staff are. A facilitative treatment model for the majority of disturbed adolescents is briefly described. The case for providing residential treatment units for adolescents is reaffirmed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006743:Hospital Bed Capacity, under 100; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000600:supply & distribution*