Abstract
We examined income source and match between recommended and received care among users of community mental health services.
We conducted a secondary analysis of needs-based planning data on adults in Ontario community mental health programs from
2000 to 2002. The outcome was whether clients were severely underserved (yes/no) based on the match between level of care
recommended and received. A logistic regression model investigated if income source predicted this outcome. 13% of clients
were severely underserved. Over 40% were on public assistance and they had a higher risk of being severely undeserved than
the others. Men were at greater risk. One aim of mental health reform is to increase access to care for vulnerable individuals.
The finding that among users of community mental health services, individuals with public assistance income support are most
vulnerable to being severely underserved should be considered by service planners and providers.
We conducted a secondary analysis of needs-based planning data on adults in Ontario community mental health programs from
2000 to 2002. The outcome was whether clients were severely underserved (yes/no) based on the match between level of care
recommended and received. A logistic regression model investigated if income source predicted this outcome. 13% of clients
were severely underserved. Over 40% were on public assistance and they had a higher risk of being severely undeserved than
the others. Men were at greater risk. One aim of mental health reform is to increase access to care for vulnerable individuals.
The finding that among users of community mental health services, individuals with public assistance income support are most
vulnerable to being severely underserved should be considered by service planners and providers.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-011-9469-7
- Authors
- Anna Durbin, Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, 4th Floor, 155 College St., Toronto, ON, Canada
- Susan J. Bondy, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, 6th Floor, 155 College St., Toronto, ON, Canada
- Janet Durbin, Departments of Psychiatry, Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Health Systems and Health Equity Group, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853