[Undersupply of child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics in Austria that can meet minimum requirements]. / Unterversorgung mit Kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Fachambulatorien in Österreich, die Mindestanforderungen erfüllen können.

This article is intended to provide an overview of the supply situation with independent outpatient clinics and dislocated Hospital ambulances for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, taking into account minimum professional standards. The level of care, the mandate to provide care, requirements, structural quality criteria and implementation recommendations are described. 13 outpatient clinics and dislocated Hospital ambulances are described in a data matrix.A comprehensive Austria-wide survey of the staffing and care offerings identified 13 outpatient clinics and outpatient clinics that meet minimum standards. This proves a difference between the current situation and the number of outpatient clinics required nationwide of 26 to 36 (depending on the assessment 1/350k or 1/250k)Thus, the findings provided here, lead us to the conclusion that the patient care in Austria's child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics is not sufficiently guaranteed due to the largely tolerated but technically incorrect interpretation of the legally valid minimum standards.If the current deficiencies are retained, a central child and adolescent psychiatric care level remains with an effectiveness of less than 50% of the Austrian health structure plan (OSG).

[Acute treatment of psychiatric ill children and adolescents: A pilot study on 257 patients]. / Akutversorgung psychisch kranker Kinder und Jugendlicher: Eine Pilotstudie an 257 PatientInnen.

OBJECTIVE: Challenging development tasks, problematic social environments and psychiatric disorder can result in crisis leading to an emergency consultation at child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP). The study aims to describe a representative clinical sample of patients seeking help at an acute CAP outpatient clinic. METHODS: Data from the initial assessment tool for CAP and data gained from the hospital IT-System were analyzed. The study site is the only hospital in the country of Salzburg in Austria with a specialized emergency unit for CAP patients. RESULTS: Out of the 257 patients, 53.7% were female. Boys significantly more often presented with externalizing symptoms and because of external factors. Girls significantly more often reported the presence of suicidal thoughts. Symptoms that led to consultation often were present for more than a week prior to consultation, in some cases even longer than 6 months. 51% of the children and adolescents were treated at the  inpatient unit, 43% at the closed unit, where they stayed for a mean of 3 nights. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients, who attended the child and adolescent psychiatry emergency showed a long duration of presenting symptoms. Suicidal tendency was a common reason for consultation and often led to a closed  inpatient treatment. Developing concepts for acute situations-like primary, secondary and tertiary suicide prevention-as well as improving the easier access to child and adolescent psychiatric services seems necessary.

[Patterns of psychopathology and psychosocial background of patients at first presentation at the child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient department of the University Clinic Salzburg]. / Verteilungsmuster psychopathologischer Störungen und deren Bezug zum psychosozialen Hintergrund bei Erstvorstellungen an der Terminambulanz für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie an der Universitätsklinik Salzburg.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and psychosocial background of outpatients at an Austrian child and adolescent psychiatry department. METHODS: One hundred eighty-three patients were examined using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents and the Multidimensional Clinical Screening Inventory. Pearson's chi-square tests were used to explore the prevalence of psychiatric disorders between gender and age-groups and their relationship with the psychosocial background of patients. RESULTS: Most patients (86.9%) had at least one psychiatric disorder. Almost three quarters (72.4%) of these patients made use of extramural facilities. Boys and girls did not differ in age or presence of a disorder. Internalising disorders were more common among older patients. Externalising disorders were more common among boys and younger patients. 65.2% of patients suffered from at least one co-morbid disorder. Boys and those with at least one externalising disorder showed more problems at school. Girls were victims of sexual assault more often, but boys experienced more extra-familial physical abuse. Girls and those with internalising disorders showed more self-harming and suicidal behaviour. A combination of internalising and externalising disorders correlated with increased drug consumption. Boys spent more time using a computer. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that particular psychopathologies often appear in connection with certain psychosocial burdens. Especially boys show increased vulnerability in relation to school problems. The willingness of patients to make use of extramural points of contact should guide future policies to consider therapeutic options encompassing parents, schools and welfare institutions for children prone to the development of psychiatric symptoms due to psychosocial risk.