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Hayek W, Oblath R, Bryant V, Duncan A. Risk management or racial Bias? The disparate use of restraints in the Emergency Department of an Urban Safety-Net Hospital. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2024; 90:56-61. [PMID: 38991310 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2024.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Limited data exist on racial-ethnic differences in the application of restraints for patients visitng the emergency department (ED). This study examines whether there is an association between race and patient ED visit type with the application of four-point mechanical restraints in a high acuity safety-net urban academic hospital. METHODS The study retrospectively reviewed 198,610 visits to the ED at Boston Medical Center made by patients between 18 and 89 years old between May 1, 2014 and May 1, 2019. ED visit type was categorized based on primary billing code for the visit as either medical or behavioral; behavioral visits were further categorized into 5 groups based on corresponding primary psychiatric billing code category. The relationships between race/ethnicity and four-point mechanical restraints were analyzed using binary logistic regression models in SPSS. RESULTS 1.4% of unique visits involved the use of four-point mechanical restraints. Patients with a behavioral visit were significantly over 16 times more likely to be restrained than those with a medical visit. Black patients were significantly more likely to be restrained than white patients for behavioral visits but less likely for medical visits. Black and Hispanic patients were also significantly more likely to be restrained for a behavioral visit regardless of psychiatric diagnosis. Asian patients were less likely to be restrained regardless of ED visit type. CONCLUSIONS Significant racial differences in restraints for White patients with medical visits and Black and Hispanic patients with behavioral visits prompts further investigation on the role of clinician bias when managing acute patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walae Hayek
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Adevisian School of Medicine, United States of America.
| | - Rachel Oblath
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Adevisian School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Vonzella Bryant
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Adevisian School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Alison Duncan
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Adevisian School of Medicine, United States of America.
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2
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Zabelski S, Hollander M, Alexander A. Addressing Inequities in Access to Mental Healthcare: A Policy Analysis of Community Mental Health Systems Serving Minoritized Populations in North Carolina. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2024; 51:543-553. [PMID: 38285082 PMCID: PMC11196298 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-024-01344-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Racial and ethnic minoritized uninsured populations in the United States face the greatest barriers to accessing mental healthcare. Historically, systems of care in the U.S. were set up using inadequate evidence at the federal, state, and local levels, driving inequities in access to quality care for minoritized populations. These inequities are most evident in community-based mental health services, which are partially or fully funded by federal programs and predominantly serve historically minoritized groups. In this descriptive policy analysis, we outline the history of federal legislative policies that have dictated community mental health systems and how these policies were implemented in North Carolina, which has a high percentage of uninsured communities of color. Several gaps between laws passed in the last 60 years and research on improving inequities in access to mental health services are discussed. Recommendations to expand/fix these policies include funding accurate data collection and implementation methods such as electronic health record (EHR) systems to ensure policies are informed by extensive data, implementation of evidence-informed and culturally sensitive interventions, and prioritizing preventative services that move past traditional models of mental healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Zabelski
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, USA.
| | - Mara Hollander
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, USA
| | - Apryl Alexander
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, USA
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3
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Bromley E, Rahmanian Koushkaki S, Davis LG, Moon S, Resnick J, McCoy M, Bennett K, Rab S, Draxler CD, Jackson LT, Lovelace A, Sherin J. Addressing Mental Health Disability in Unsheltered Homelessness: Outpatient Conservatorship in Los Angeles. Psychiatr Serv 2024; 75:689-698. [PMID: 38268464 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors sought to describe a pilot program for gravely disabled individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles County that illustrates a promising public health framework to address mental health-related disability in homeless populations. METHODS Homeless outreach teams implementing the outpatient conservatorship (OPC) pilot program adopted a population health approach, multisystem care coordination, and prioritization of the least restrictive environments. The program allowed initiation of a Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorship outside of a hospital, with the goal of serving highly vulnerable individuals in the least restrictive settings. Between August 2020 and July 2021, the OPC pilot program served 43 clients, corresponding to 2% of those served by the outreach teams during that period. Using observational program evaluation data, the authors examined the impact of the program on this sample of participants. RESULTS At 12 months, 81% of OPC clients were no longer experiencing unsheltered homelessness; 65% accessed an LPS conservatorship. Although most OPC clients utilized a psychiatric hospital, 54% left locked settings earlier than would have been possible without the program. One-third of clients referred for LPS conservatorship used unlocked licensed residential facilities in the first year. Negative events, such as remaining in unsheltered homelessness, were more common among clients not referred for LPS conservatorship. CONCLUSIONS Timely receipt of street-based services and coordination of care before, during, and after referral for LPS conservatorship reduced use of restrictive settings. The OPC program's components constitute a promising triadic framework for addressing mental health disability among unsheltered individuals that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Bromley
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Sara Rahmanian Koushkaki
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Lisa G Davis
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Stephanie Moon
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Jaclyn Resnick
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Matthew McCoy
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Karla Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Shayan Rab
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Connie D Draxler
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - La Tina Jackson
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Aubree Lovelace
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
| | - Jonathan Sherin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and University of California Los Angeles Public Mental Health Partnership, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Bromley, Rahmanian Koushkaki, Davis, McCoy, Sherin); Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles (Bromley, McCoy); Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles (Moon); Center for Community Health, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (Resnick); Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles (Bennett, Rab, Draxler, Jackson, Lovelace)
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Bartl G, Stuart R, Ahmed N, Saunders K, Loizou S, Brady G, Gray H, Grundy A, Jeynes T, Nyikavaranda P, Persaud K, Raad A, Foye U, Simpson A, Johnson S, Lloyd-Evans B. A qualitative meta-synthesis of service users' and carers' experiences of assessment and involuntary hospital admissions under mental health legislations: a five-year update. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:476. [PMID: 38937705 PMCID: PMC11209989 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05914-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compulsory admissions occur in psychiatric hospitals around the world. They result in coercive and sometimes traumatic experiences for service users and carers. Legal and service reforms in various countries are intended to reduce rates of detention and improve service user experience. We aimed to inform policy and service delivery by providing an up-to-date synthesis of qualitative evidence on service users' and carers' experiences of assessment and detention under mental health legislation, updating previous reviews in which we searched for literature published up to 2018. METHODS We searched five bibliographic databases for studies published between January 2018 and March 2023. We identified 24 additional studies reporting qualitative investigations of service users' or carers' experiences of assessment or detention under mental health legislation. A team including researchers with relevant personal experience analysed and synthesised data using a thematic synthesis approach. RESULTS Findings suggest that views on compulsory admissions and assessment varied: many reports highlighted its often negative, traumatic impacts on emotional well-being and self-worth, with fewer accounts of it as an opportunity to access help and support, accompanied by feelings of relief. Experiences of racial discrimination, inequality of access, and dissatisfaction with support before and after hospital stay were more prominent than in our previous reviews. CONCLUSIONS Increasing service user and carer involvement in treatment decisions, provision of timely information at key stages of the admission process, training of key personnel, addressing the issue of discrimination, and investing in community alternatives of inpatient care may contribute to and lead to better overall treatment experiences. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION The study protocol has been registered in the PROSPERO database on 30th May 2023 (CRD42023423439).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Bartl
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ruth Stuart
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nafiso Ahmed
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine Saunders
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sofia Loizou
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Grainne Brady
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hannah Gray
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Grundy
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Lived Experience Working Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tamar Jeynes
- Lived Experience Working Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Patrick Nyikavaranda
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Lived Experience Working Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Karen Persaud
- Lived Experience Working Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ari Raad
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Una Foye
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alan Simpson
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sonia Johnson
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Camden and Islington National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Brynmor Lloyd-Evans
- NIHR Policy Research Unit for Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.
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5
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Coleman CH. Holding the Guardrails on Involuntary Commitment. Hastings Cent Rep 2024; 54:8-11. [PMID: 38639168 DOI: 10.1002/hast.1574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
In response to the increasing number of mentally ill people experiencing homelessness, some policy-makers have called for the expanded use of involuntary commitment, even for individuals who are not engaging in behaviors that are immediately life-threatening. Yet there is no evidence that involuntary commitment offers long-term benefits, and significant reasons to believe that expanding the practice will cause harm. In addition, these proposals ignore research showing that most people with mental illness have the capacity to make medical decisions for themselves. Rather than expanding the use of involuntary commitment, policy-makers should support approaches proven to decrease the prevalence of homelessness, such as supportive housing. In addition, states should reevaluate their commitment standards for persons who pose no risk of harm to others. One promising approach is Northern Ireland's Mental Health Capacity Act of 2016, which establishes a uniform standard for imposing nonconsensual health care interventions, without any distinction between mental illnesses and other conditions in which capacity might be compromised.
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Zambrano J, Celano CM, Onyeaka H, Rodriguez AM, Shea T, Ahn-Horst R, Grossman M, Mullersman K, Ordoñez AS, Smith FA, Beach S. Ethnoracial disparities in care on a consultation-liaison service at an academic hospital. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2024; 86:50-55. [PMID: 38070241 PMCID: PMC10843593 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is currently an increasing recognition of and focus on structural and institutional racism and its impacts on health disparities. In psychiatry and mental health, research has focused on racial and ethnic disparities in the availability and utilization of mental health services, care in emergency departments, and inpatient psychiatric services. Little is known about disparities in care on general hospital psychiatry consultation-liaison (CL) services. METHODS In this exploratory study, we conducted a retrospective chart review using electronic health record (EHR) data of all adults (≥ 18 years of age) admitted to inpatient medical or surgical floors at an urban academic medical center for whom a psychiatric consultation was requested during the study period. We examined differences by race and ethnicity in: rates of consultation requests; use of legal holds, constant observation, restraints; follow-up by the CL service; and ultimate disposition. RESULTS The service received 310 unique consults during the study period. Compared to hospital-wide numbers, Black-identifying patients were over-represented in our sample (11.9% vs 6.6%), while Latinx patients were underrepresented (6.1% vs 9.8%). Of the clinical and outcome variables collected, there were higher odds of being placed on a legal hold both prior to (OR 2.6) and after the consult question (OR 2.98) and in the odds of having a one-to-one observer prior to (OR 2.47) and after (OR 2.9) the initial consult visit for Black-identifying patients, when adjusting for confounders. There were no other measurable differences in care or outcomes by racial or ethnic categories. CONCLUSION Black-identifying patients may be more likely to receive psychiatric consultation and be placed on legal holds because of a combination of chronic adverse social determinants of health and race-based bias. Conversely, Latinx patients may be less likely to receive psychiatric consultation because of language barriers among other factors. The lack of disparities identified in other domains may be encouraging, but larger studies are needed. Further research is also needed to identify causality and interventions that could help close the gap in care and outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Zambrano
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA.
| | - Christopher M Celano
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Henry Onyeaka
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | | | - Timothy Shea
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Rosa Ahn-Horst
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Mila Grossman
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Katherine Mullersman
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Andrea Soto Ordoñez
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Felicia A Smith
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Scott Beach
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA
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7
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Wolf RM, Hall M, Williams DJ, Antoon JW, Carroll AR, Gastineau KAB, Ngo ML, Herndon A, Hart S, Bell DS, Johnson DP. Disparities in Pharmacologic Restraint for Children Hospitalized in Mental Health Crisis. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023061353. [PMID: 38073320 PMCID: PMC10764008 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-061353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children hospitalized with a mental health crisis often receive pharmacologic restraint for management of acute agitation. We examined associations between pharmacologic restraint use and race and ethnicity among children admitted for mental health conditions to acute care nonpsychiatric children's hospitals. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of children (aged 5-≤18 years) admitted for a primary mental health condition from 2018 to 2022 at 41 US children's hospitals. Pharmacologic restraint use was defined as parenteral administration of medications for acute agitation. The association of race and ethnicity and pharmacologic restraint was assessed using generalized linear multivariable mixed models adjusted for clinical and demographic factors. Stratified analyses were performed based on significant interaction analyses between covariates and race and ethnicity. RESULTS The cohort included 61 503 hospitalizations. Compared with non-Hispanic Black children, children of non-Hispanic White (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.92), Asian (aOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.99), or other race and ethnicity (aOR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.57-0.82) were less likely to receive pharmacologic restraint. There was no significant difference with Hispanic children. When stratified by sex, racial/ethnic differences were magnified in males (aORs, 0.49-0.68), except for Hispanic males, and not found in females (aORs, 0.83-0.93). Sensitivity analysis revealed amplified disparities for all racial/ethnic groups, including Hispanic youth (aOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.91). CONCLUSIONS Non-Hispanic Black children were significantly more likely to receive pharmacologic restraint. More research is needed to understand reasons for these disparities, which may be secondary to implicit bias and systemic and interpersonal racism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Wolf
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Pediatrics, Section on Hospital Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
| | - Derek J Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - James W Antoon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alison R Carroll
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kelsey A B Gastineau
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - My-Linh Ngo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alison Herndon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sarah Hart
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Deanna S Bell
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David P Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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8
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Lekas HM, Lewis C, Bradley MV, Pahl K. The Color of Autonomy: Examining Racial Inequity in Coercive Institutional Practices. Psychiatr Serv 2023; 74:1189-1191. [PMID: 37143336 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Two articles recently published in this journal identified racial inequities in routine psychiatric practice. This Open Forum discusses the need for a paradigm shift in inequities research. The two articles reviewed here, one by Shea and colleagues on racial-ethnic inequities in inpatient psychiatric civil commitment and one by Garrett and colleagues on racial-ethnic disparities in psychiatric decisional capacity consultations, are examples of the new research gaze. Four topics are identified for enhancing understanding of racism and other forms of structural exclusion in psychiatric practice: medical authority and power imbalance between providers and patients, involuntary psychiatric commitment and requests for decisional capacity consultations as strategic research events, limited use of theory, and limitations of the literature on psychiatric inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen-Maria Lekas
- Division of Social Solutions and Services Research, Center for Research on Cultural and Structural Equity in Behavioral Health, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York (Lekas, Lewis, Pahl); Department of Psychiatry, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City (all authors); Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn, New York (Bradley)
| | - Crystal Lewis
- Division of Social Solutions and Services Research, Center for Research on Cultural and Structural Equity in Behavioral Health, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York (Lekas, Lewis, Pahl); Department of Psychiatry, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City (all authors); Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn, New York (Bradley)
| | - Mark V Bradley
- Division of Social Solutions and Services Research, Center for Research on Cultural and Structural Equity in Behavioral Health, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York (Lekas, Lewis, Pahl); Department of Psychiatry, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City (all authors); Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn, New York (Bradley)
| | - Kerstin Pahl
- Division of Social Solutions and Services Research, Center for Research on Cultural and Structural Equity in Behavioral Health, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York (Lekas, Lewis, Pahl); Department of Psychiatry, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City (all authors); Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System-Brooklyn, New York (Bradley)
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9
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Smith CM, Daley LA, Lea C, Daniel K, Tweedy DS, Thielman NM, Staplefoote-Boynton BL, Aimone E, Gagliardi JP. Experiences of Black Adults Evaluated in a Locked Psychiatric Emergency Unit: A Qualitative Study. Psychiatr Serv 2023; 74:1063-1071. [PMID: 37042104 PMCID: PMC10732806 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence shows that Black individuals have higher rates of coercive emergency psychiatric interventions than other racialized groups, yet no studies have elevated the voices of Black patients undergoing emergency psychiatric evaluation. This qualitative study sought to explore the experiences of Black individuals who had been evaluated in a locked psychiatric emergency unit (PEU). METHODS Electronic health records were used to identify and recruit adult patients (ages ≥18 years) who self-identified as Black and who had undergone evaluation in a locked PEU at a large academic medical center. In total, 11 semistructured, one-on-one interviews were conducted by telephone, exploring experiences during psychiatric evaluation. Transcripts were analyzed with thematic analysis. RESULTS Participants shared experiences of criminalization, stigma, and vulnerability before and during their evaluation. Although participants described insight into their desire and need for treatment and identified helpful aspects of the care they received, they noted a mismatch between their expectations of treatment and the treatment received. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals six major patient-identified themes that supplement a growing body of quantitative evidence demonstrating that racialized minority groups endure disproportionate rates of coercive interventions during emergency psychiatric evaluation. Interdisciplinary systemic changes are urgently needed to address structural barriers to equitable psychiatric care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M Smith
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - Lori-Ann Daley
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - Chris Lea
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - Keith Daniel
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - Damon S Tweedy
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - Nathan M Thielman
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - B Lynette Staplefoote-Boynton
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - Elizabeth Aimone
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
| | - Jane P Gagliardi
- Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Smith); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Daley, Tweedy, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi) and Department of Medicine (Thielman, Staplefoote-Boynton, Gagliardi), School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; School of Medicine (Lea), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Daniel); Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (Aimone)
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