title: Past utilization of geriatric psychiatry outpatient services by a cohort of patients with major depression.
abstract: The authors examined past utilization of outpatient psychiatric services by elderly depressed patients. A chart review identified 49 patients (mean age = 69.4) who had ceased active treatment, of whom 28 were successfully contacted. Reasons for discontinuation were 1) patient perception that care was no longer needed (51.5%); 2) existence of barriers to care (33.3%); and 3) perception that treatment was ineffective (15.2%). Findings included 1) a higher number of visits by patients referred from a non-healthcare source and by married patients; 2) lower Beck Depression Inventory scores among those who reported that they did not need additional treatment; and 3) a greater willingness to re-engage in treatment by those patients with a higher number of visits during their previous treatment. Patient characteristics and source of referral were associated with both past service utilization and likelihood of future usage; however, many individuals do not access treatment because of both practical and attitudinal barriers to care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08855-1392, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Aupperle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lifchus
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Coyne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*