title: Characteristics of psychiatric patients for whom financial considerations affect optimal treatment provision.
abstract: This study assessed characteristics of psychiatric patients for whom financial considerations affected the provision of "optimal" treatment. Psychiatrists reported that for 33.8 percent of 1,228 patients from a national sample, financial considerations such as managed care limitations, the patient's personal finances, and limitations inherent in the public care system adversely affected the provision of optimal treatment. Patients were more likely to have their treatment adversely affected by financial considerations if they were more severely ill, had more than one behavioral health disorder or a psychosocial problem, or were receiving treatment under managed care arrangements. Patients for whom financial considerations affect the provision of optimal treatment represent a population for whom access to treatment may be particularly important.
authors.affiliation: American Psychiatric Practice Research Network, American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education, 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA. jwest@psych.org
authors.forename: Joyce C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pingitore
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Zarin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation