Characteristics of patients and patterns of psychiatric service use in ethnic minorities.
BACKGROUND
The differential uptake of psychiatric services by ethnic minorities has been widely reported. Less attention has been given to comparisons of these patients and variations in the types of interventions they receive.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether for people accessing psychiatric services in the UK, differences exist across ethnic groups both in their sociodemographic characteristics and patterns of mental health care utilisation.


METHODS
All adults resident in an inner city health district and using psychiatric services during a six-month period were identified. Demographic, clinical and service use data were collected from staff and records. These were compared across black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, Irish and white ethnic groups for two broad diagnostic categories: psychotic/bipolar and depressive/neurotic disorders.


RESULTS
There were significant differences between ethnic groups on most demographic variables in each of the diagnostic categories. There were variations in the level of contact with different mental health professionals. The only significant difference in the use of specific services was for those with psychotic/bipolar disorders, black Caribbean patients being more likely to be detained in hospital compulsorily.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethnic diversity both in the characteristics of patients and their patterns of psychiatric care should be addressed when planning and developing services.
Commander
M J
MJ
University of Birmingham, UK. m.j.commander@bham.ac.uk
O'Dell
S M
SM
Surtees
P G
PG
Sashidharan
S P
SP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data