Examining Outcomes of Acute Psychiatric Hospitalization Among Children

Abstract

Within the past two decades, few studies have examined outcomes of acute psychiatric hospitalization among children, demonstrating change in emotional and behavioral functioning. A secondary analysis of pre-test/post-test data collected on 36 children was conducted, using the Target Symptom Rating (TSR). The TSR is a 13-item measure with two subscales – Emotional Problems and Behavioral Problems and was designed for evaluation of outcome among children and adolescents in acute inpatient psychiatric settings. Results of this study, its limitations, and the barriers encountered in the implementation of the TSR scale as part of routine clinical practice are discussed.

Evaluating effectiveness in adolescent mental health inpatient units: A systematic review

“…; Tharayil et al . ). IPU admissions often occur when adolescents and their caregivers are unable to manage the young person's mental health symptoms at home.…”

“…IPUs are used for symptom stabilization in the event of psychiatric crisis (Goldman et al 1998;Tharayil et al 2012). IPU admissions often occur when adolescents and their caregivers are unable to manage the young person's mental health symptoms at home.…”

“…In terms of this review, positive outcomes are related to sustained health improvement of young people. The demand for evidence-based practice (EBP) underpins the need to examine valid and reliable outcome measures, which capture changes in symptoms, functioning, and determine effectiveness within the context of short-term interventions (Koch et al 1998;Tharayil et al 2012). Measuring this change and assessing outcomes provide an evaluation of the service as a whole, as well as highlighting areas for improvement (Yuan 2015).…”

The unheard voice of the clinician: Perspectives on the key features of an adolescent inpatient model of care

“…The primary purpose of inpatient units is for containment of risk and dysfunctional distress responses, and to stabilize symptoms and assist in the development of problem‐solving skills (Hanssen‐Bauer et al, ; McGorry & Mei, ; Tharayil, James, Morgan, & Freeman, ). An admission to an inpatient unit is an intense intervention for any adolescent, at a time in their life where they are particularly vulnerable.…”

Diagnosis and dialogue in acute child and adolescent mental health care

“…These were seen as particularly appropriate venues for an inquiry into the practice of diagnosis, because of the complex tensions that may exist between diagnostic, medical, individual and contextual conceptualisations of care. Young people admitted to these units have a diverse range of severe presenting problems, including psychosis, suicidality and self-harm (Tharayil, James, Morgan, & Freeman, 2012). Research suggests that a large majority off inpatients also present with a history of physical, sexual and/or emotional trauma (Lipschitz, Winegar, Hartnick, Foote, & Southwick, 1999), raising questions as to the value of individually focused conceptualisations of pathology.…”