Back to Search Start Over

Migrants referring to the Bologna Transcultural Psychiatric Team: Reasons for drop-out.

Authors :
Tarricone, Ilaria
Atti, Anna Rita
Braca, Mauro
Pompei, Graziano
Morri, Michela
Poggi, Francesca
Melega, Saverio
Stivanello, Elisa
Tonti, Lorenza
Nolet, Maria
Berardi, Domenico
Source :
International Journal of Social Psychiatry; Nov2011, Vol. 57 Issue 6, p627-630, 4p
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Background: Recent immigrants face various difficulties in adjusting to western countries and show a high prevalence of mental disorders. Access to a culturally appropriate community mental health centre (CMHC) is crucial for immigrants (Bhui et al., 2007). The Bologna West Transcultural Psychiatric Team (BoTPT, Tarricone et al., 2009) is one of the first projects in Italy that prioritizes cultural competence care. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this service and to describe what characteristics of patient and psychiatric intervention are related to ‘drop-out’.Method: All migrants who consecutively attended the BoTPT between 1 July 1999 and 30 June 2008 were included and evaluated at first contact and again six months later.Results: After six months we followed up 162 patients; 32 (17.9%) of these had interrupted treatment. Non-Asian origin, a recent history of migration and not receiving social intervention were the strongest predictors of drop-out cases.Conclusion: Psychiatric consultation services to migrants could be made more effective by enhancing: (a) cultural competence, through cultural mediator involvement; and (b) social support from the first psychiatric contact. These two characteristics of psychiatric consultation could be developed from resources ordinarily present in the context of a CMHC and could then become a cost-effective strategy for addressing mental health needs among first-generation immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00207640
Volume :
57
Issue :
6
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
69671863
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764010382368