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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/130790
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | How long and how much? wait times and costs for initial private child mental health appointments |
Author: | Mulraney, M. Lee, C. Freed, G. Sawyer, M. Coghill, D. Sciberras, E. Efron, D. Hiscock, H. |
Citation: | Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2021; 57(4):526-532 |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Issue Date: | 2021 |
ISSN: | 1034-4810 1440-1754 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Melissa Mulraney, Cindy Lee, Gary Freed, Michael Sawyer, David Coghill, Emma Sciberras, Daryl Efron, and Harriet Hiscock |
Abstract: | Aim: To determine: (i) wait times and out-of-pocket costs for children attending private specialists for initial mental health appointments; and (ii) whether these differed between specialists working in metropolitan versus rural areas and in low, medium and high socio-economic areas. Methods: Prospective secret shopper study whereby a researcher posed as a parent seeking an appointment for her child with anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We contacted 317 private paediatrician, psychiatrist and psychologist practices in Victoria and South Australia between 12 March and 5 May 2019. Results: One third (29.8%) of private practices were closed to new referrals. The average wait times for paediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists were 44, 41 and 34 days, respectively. Average out-of-pocket costs quoted were AU$120 for paediatricians, AU$176 for psychiatrists and AU$85 for psychologists. Conclusion: Parents face extensive wait times and substantial out-of-pocket costs when seeking private mental health services for their child. |
Keywords: | Child; cost; health service; mental health; wait time |
Rights: | © 2020 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians |
DOI: | 10.1111/jpc.15253 |
Grant ID: | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1129957 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1136222 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1110688 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpc.15253 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 8 Psychiatry publications |
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