Utilization of mental health services. Attrition versus aggregation.
Mental health services are utilized in the context of opposing trends of decline and accumulation in caseload. A rapid attrition in frequency of contact is counterbalanced by a slower aggregation of cases failing to reach termination. These opposite, simultaneous forces mean that a mental health service may be meeting its goal of containing the duration of treatment while its practitioners are contending with a sizable caseload resistant to closure. This phenomenon is empirically described.
Kisch
J
J
Community Health Care Plan, New Haven, CT 06511.
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003237:Connecticut; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016526:Workload