Ethnic Differences in the Utilisation of Public Psychiatric Services in An Area of Suburban Melbourne

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Abstract
Objective: The main aim of this study was to compare levels of service use by English and non-English speaking background people. Method: A comparison of service use in 1991/1992 between clients of English speaking (ESB) and non English-speaking (NESB) background was undertaken using hospital inpatient statistics, community mental health centre contact data, interpreter usage figures, and the 1991 Australian census. Results: The main findings indicated: (a) longer median lengths of stay of NESB than ESB inpatients; (b) roughly equal involuntary hospitalisation rates between ESB and NESB residents, but significantly lower rates of voluntary hospitalisation for NESB residents; (c) NESB face-to-face clinic contacts significantly shorter (by between five to ten minutes) than ESB; and (d) variable and generally low use of interpreters. No significant associations between ethnicity, legal status and gender were found. There were limitations in the available data and conclusions could be drawn only with caution. Conclusions: Recommendations include better routine collection of ethnically relevant information, and measures designed to improve the acceptability and accessibility of inpatient services.