title: Predictors of unmet need for medical care among justice-involved persons with mental illness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study examined factors associated with unmet need for care from primary care physicians or from psychiatrists among clients enrolled in mental health court support programs in Toronto, Ontario.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included adults admitted to these programs during 2009 (N=994). Both measures of unmet need were determined by mental health court workers at program intake. Predictors included client predisposing, clinical, and enabling variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve percent had unmet need for care from primary care physicians and 34% from psychiatrists. Both measures of unmet need were associated with having an unknown diagnosis, having no income source or receiving welfare, homelessness, and not having a case manager. Unmet need for care from psychiatrists was associated with symptoms of serious mental illness and current hospitalization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obtaining care from psychiatrists appears to be a particular challenge for justice-involved persons with mental illness. Policies and practices that improve access warrant more attention.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Durbin
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sirotich
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Durbin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009864:Ontario; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors