MDNews - Greater Kansas

+++++++++++++++++++++++++ + +++ + PSYCHIATRIC CARE ��� +++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++ education and Access: barriers to Psychiatric Care By Russell E. Scheffer, M.D. a public policy and advocacy organization, more than a third of patients rely solely on primary care physicians for treatment of mental health disorders. Despite the fact that, when surveyed, practicing primary care doctors have repeatedly stated they most need additional training and help in psychiatric problems, lack of education on psychiatric problems is common in primary care residencies. Russell E. Scheffer, M.D. IN s u f f I c I e n T T r a I n I n G fo r primary care physicians and inadequate access to psychiatric care in many communities are threatening the health of a generation. Throughout the world, psychiatric problems are among the most common medical problems. In fact, psychiatric disorders account for five of the top 10 causes of suffering for all ages in the world. Many of these disorders last a long time or reoccur. In the United States, door-to-door surveys reveal that 44% of Americans will meet criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis in their lifetimes, but the majority of them are never diagnosed or treated. Fifty percent of all psychiatric disorders start by age 14, 75% by age 24. No other area of medicine affects so many people over so long a period. Primary care physicians are handling a greater load of mental health care due to inadequate access to psychiatrists and other qualified mental health professionals. According to a report from the Center for American Progress, 24 | Greater Kansas md news ��� mdnews.com suicide: a Quiet epidemic Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24, according to the National Institutes of Health. Only accidents and homicide cause more deaths in this age group. If you eliminate accidents and homicide, suicide kills more youths than all medical causes combined (cancer and cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary and neurological disease). A study published in the November 2012 issue of the American Journal of Public Health found that among the general population, suicide has surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the No. 1 cause of injury-related death. From 2000 to 2009, the suicide rate rose 15%. This is a quiet epidemic with little public awareness. Many psychiatric illnesses have a 10% to 20% mortality rate from suicide. other health concerns Linked to Psychiatric Illness People with psychiatric illness have, on average, 20 to 25 years shorter life expectancy. These early deaths are related not only to suicide but also to cardiovascular diseases and other problems associated with poor access to primary health care. Psychiatric disorders can worsen the prognosis of other disorders. Unnecessary tests and procedures that result when psychiatric disorders are not diagnosed early cause increased health care spending and suffering related to these often invasive tests. These Illnesses are highly Treatable The good news is that psychiatric illnesses are highly treatable. If people will engage in treatment, they usually get better. To date, we cannot advertise cures, but we can show that our outcomes rival other areas of medicine. There have been some concerns about the safety of psychiatric medications. However, when you look at the number of patients who need to be treated to get one person better and compare that with the number who have to be treated to have one harmed, these medications are among the safest prescribed. In fact, they have risks similar to antibiotics. If you have the need for them, no one should be overly concerned about using them. People are safer on psychiatric medications than when untreated. In fact, once a person is engaged in almost any type of treatment, his or her risk for suicide dramatically decreases. Treatment not only decreases suicide and direct suffering from the disorders, but it also decreases other costs related to missed work or school. access to care must be Improved Lack of access to care is a major problem in Kansas and across the nation. To better meet the needs of Kansas communities, collaborative care models are being developed to help psychiatric professionals support primary care clinicians in providing good quality care for more people. Early involvement of psychiatric professionals in a collaborative care model can improve the outcomes of psychiatric and other medical disorders. Involving them in treating other medical conditions can mean the difference between good care and world-class care. Russell E. Scheffer, M.D., specializes in adolescent and pediatric psychiatry at University of Kansas Medical Center, located at 1010 N. Kansas St., Wichita, KS 67214. For further information, call (316) 293-2647. ���

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