papers

Patterns and predictors of restrictive health care service use by youths with bipolar disorder

Adm Policy Ment Health 37:379-387.

Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK

Patterns of behavioral health service utilization were examined among youth diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n = 832). Youth were categorized as high, moderate, and low restrictive service users (43, 7, and 50%, respectively). Factors associated with receiving care in highly restrictive settings included: numerous co-occurring diagnoses and being enrolled in managed care. Youth with regular outpatient visits were less likely to receive care in highly restrictive settings. This analysis provides a broad and dramatic picture of the intensity of services needed by most youth with bipolar. Having regular outpatient services shows promise with regard to reducing costly care in restrictive settings.

PMID: 19813085