Trends in mental health services for people with intellectual disability in residential care in Israel 1998-2004.
Persons with intellectual disability (ID) have more mental health problems than the general population and utilize psychiatric service to a greater extent. This study was conducted to look at trends over time in the number of psychiatrists recruited, psychiatric medication and hospitalization for persons with ID in residential care in Israel. Data was extracted for the 1998-2004 period from the annual surveys conducted of medical service in all residential care centers in Israel by the Office of the Medical Director. Results showed an increase in psychiatrists working with this population, from 1.08 psychiatrist per 1,000 study population in 1998 to 2.23 in 2004, psychotropic medication also increased from 45% to 52% over the same period, but psychiatric inpatient hospitalization decreased from 5.48 to 4.99 per 1,000 study population. It is concluded that there has been an improvement in psychiatric service to this residential care population over the study period, but there is a need for a formal subspecialty in psychiatry, training and research.
Merrick
Joav
J
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Jerusalem, Israel. jmerrick@internet-zahav.net
Kandel
Isack
I
Stawski
Mike
M
D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007557:Israel; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000639:trends; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000639:trends; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000592:standards; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000639:trends; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000639:trends*; D000078329:Workforce
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs