Young women (aged 18-26 years) are a heterogeneous population transitioning from adolescence into adulthood who may present with unique issues and challenges, including a potential gap in health care after pediatric health care. Obstetrician-gynecologists should note that these patients may need assistance in transitioning from a pediatrician to a provider of adult health care (an internist, fa...

OBJECTIVE Timely aftercare can be viewed as a patient safety imperative. In the context of decreasing inpatient length of stay (LOS) and known child psychiatry human resource challenges, we investigated time to aftercare for adolescents following psychiatric hospitalization. METHOD We conducted a population-based cohort study of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years with psychiatric discharge betwe...

BACKGROUND Deliberate self harm (DSH) is an increasingly common problem. Although much attention is focused on suicide prevention by psychiatric services, the role of the general practitioner (GP) in the prevention of suicidal behaviour and in the aftercare of DSH patients is also important. AIM To examine the nature and timing of GP contacts with DSH patients before and after an episode of D...

International sex trafficking into the United States appears to be a serious and growing problem, although the evidence regarding prevalence, risk, and consequences is incomplete. Nonetheless, human service providers are increasingly being asked to offer services to sex trafficking survivors. Consequently, providers need information to guide services and program development in this emerging pra...

This study examined relationships between state policy requirements governing outpatient substance abuse treatment services and reported outpatient treatment program practices. State policies effective as of February 1, 2003, and February 1, 2004, were collected and analyzed via primary legal research; data were validated by state officials (88% response rate; >90% validation rate). Treatment p...

BACKGROUND This audit established a recent picture of termination of pregnancy services in Wales, UK using the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' Guidelines as a baseline. The context of abortion is rapidly changing and services need to be adaptable to meet women's needs. METHODS A questionnaire survey was sent to all National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in Wales; 10 out of 13...

BACKGROUND Implementing community-based psychiatric services is one of the priorities of the WHO/EMRO mental health programs. This study presents an aftercare service, as a community based-service, for patients with severe mental illness (SMIs). METHODS In this randomized controlled clinical trial design, 176 patients, who attended selective hospitals with SMI, were allocated into three group...

BACKGROUND Most substance abuse programs are mixed-gender programs targeted largely at male substance abusers. Studies on gender differences in the cost-effectiveness of mixed-gender aftercare programs are rare. Little is known about how beneficial and efficient various aftercare treatments are for either female or male substance abusers in mixed-gender programs. AIMS OF THE STUDY This study ...