Abstract
Aims and MethodHomelessness is associated with raised psychiatric morbidity. Case records for 597 consecutive attendees at a winter shelter medical service were retrospectively reviewed to assess routine recording of psychiatric morbidity and to examine associations between current psychiatric symptoms and health service use.ResultsPrevious psychiatric morbidity was recorded in 36.0% of attendees, including 20.4% with comorbid substance misuse. Current psychiatric morbidity was recorded in 31.3% of attendees, and was associated with reduced total medication prescription, increased referral to other services and increased re-presentation to the shelter medical service.Clinical ImplicationsPsychiatric morbidity was frequently recorded in this population. Current psychiatric symptoms were associated with increased health service use. Improved training of shelter staff should be instituted to increase engagement with mainstream mental health services.
Highlights
Previous psychiatric morbidity was recorded in 36.0% of attendees, including 20.4% with comorbid substance misuse
Current psychiatric morbidity was recorded in 31.3% of attendees, and was associated with reduced total medication prescription, increased referral to other services and increased re-presentation to the shelter medical service
Psychiatric morbidity was frequently recorded in this population
Summary
Homelessness is associated with raised psychiatric morbidity. Case records for 597 consecutive attendees at a winter shelter medical service were retrospectively reviewed to assess routine recording of psychiatric morbidity and to examine associations between current psychiatric symptoms and health service use.
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