1. Improving policy and practice in the interface between child and adolescence psychiatry and adult psychiatry services: a portuguese articulation project.
- Author
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Maia, A., Couto, D., Gago, J., Maia, G., and Sardinha, L.
- Subjects
CHILD psychiatry ,CHILD psychopathology ,YOUNG adults ,TRANSITION to adulthood ,PSYCHIATRY - Abstract
Introduction: Mental illnesses frequently start in childhood, requiring not only an early intervention in Child and Adolescence Psychiatry (CAP), but also its maintenance in Adult Psychiatry (AP) Services. Given the importance of continuity of care and the co-occurrence of psychopathology in different members of the same family, a close articulation between CAP and AP Services is fundamental to ensure a good quality of care. Objectives: To review the existing evidence supporting the need of a collaborative articulation between CAP and AP Services, and to describe a Portuguese Articulation Project between CAP and AP services at our Hospital Centre, in Lisbon. Methods: Literature review and Project description. Results: Transition into adulthood is a vulnerable period, increasing the risk of non-adhesion and disruption of care. However, less than one-third of young adults referred from CAP to AP Services perform an effective transition. Additionally, not only Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) have an increased risk of developing mental illness in the future (RR 2.52; 95%CI 2.08-3.06), but parents of children evaluated in CAP Services also have an increased risk of psychiatric symptoms. We developed an Articulation Project between CAP and AP Services at our Hospital Centre, comprising articulation meetings for joint discussion/referring of cases, and formative meetings in areas of interest for both services. Conclusions: A close interaction between CAP and AP Services is crucial to ensure a gradual and coherent transition between the two services, with the additional advantage of allowing joint discussion and referring of family members at risk of developing mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020