EVALUATING THE OUTCOMES FOLLOWING ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH INPATIENT ADMISSIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Due to rising healthcare costs, health systems across the world have shifted their focus onto cost-effective approaches with increased attention being paid to healthcare outcomes. The adolescent inpatient unit (IPU) is widely accepted to be an important component in the system of adolescent mental health; however, information about the effectiveness, how outcomes are measured and mechanisms resulting in change remain poorly understood. Furthermore, it is also unclear how the recovery movement in psychiatry has impacted on the interventions and outcomes being measured in IPUs. Objectives: The primary aim of the review was to evaluate the effectiveness of adolescent IPUs. The secondary aim was to determine what outcomes and domains are being measured. Methods: A systematic review following Preferred Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was completed. Data analysis is descriptive due to the heterogeneity of the data. Findings: A total of 24 studies were identified with the majority of the study demonstrating statistically significant improvement in various outcome measures and associated domains, which validates the work being done in IPUs. The clinical significance was difficult to establish especially pertaining to clinical or personal recovery. Conclusion: IPUs have shown a demonstrated statistical improvement in patient outcomes. The increased use of self-rated measurements and outcome measures targeting the essence of the recovery principles are considered a positive change. Further understanding of how these outcomes are achieved and their clinical and personal recovery significance is important for ongoing research.