Open AccessMental health service areas in Switzerland
Author(s) -
Stulz Niklaus,
Jörg Reto,
ReimGautier Constanze,
Bonsack Charles,
Conus Philippe,
EvansLacko Sara,
GabrielFelleiter Kerstin,
Heim Eva,
Jäger Matthias,
Knapp Martin,
Richter Dirk,
Schneeberger Andres,
Thornicroft Graham,
Traber Rafael,
Wieser Simon,
Tuch Alexandre,
Hepp Urs
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
international journal of methods in psychiatric research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.275
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1557-0657
pISSN - 1049-8931
DOI - 10.1002/mpr.1937
Subject(s) - mental health , service (business) , medicine , population , inpatient care , scale (ratio) , health care , mental illness , health services , mental health service , psychiatry , business , environmental health , geography , marketing , cartography , economics , economic growth
Objectives Small area analysis is a health services research technique that facilitates geographical comparison of services supply and utilization rates between health service areas (HSAs). HSAs are functionally relevant regions around medical facilities within which most residents undergo treatment. We aimed to identify HSAs for psychiatric outpatient care (HSA‐PSY) in Switzerland. Methods We used HSAr, a new and automated methodological approach, and comprehensive psychiatric service use data from insurances to identify HSA‐PSY based on travel patterns between patients' residences and service sites. Resulting HSA‐PSY were compared geographically, demographically and regarding the use of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services. Results We identified 68 HSA‐PSY, which were reviewed and validated by local mental health services experts. The population‐based rate of inpatient and outpatient service utilization varied considerably between HSA‐PSY. Utilization of inpatient and outpatient services tended to be positively associated across HSA‐PSY. Conclusions Wide variation of service use between HSA‐PSY can hardly be fully explained by underlying differences in the prevalence or incidence of disorders. Whether other factors such as the amount of services supply did add to the high variation should be addressed in further studies, for which our functional mapping on a small‐scale regional level provides a good analytical framework.