2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

CHILDREN OF IN-PATIENTS OF HOSPITALS FOR ADULT PSYCHIATRY IN SWITZERLAND - SERVICE DELIVERY PROFILE OF CHILD GUIDANCE INSTITUTIONS

Kammerer,M*, Pinard,C, Bänziger,C, and Neuenschwander,M**

* University of Zurich Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Outpatient Service Horgen / Zurich, Switzerland; Child Guidance Service Horgen, Switzerland
** University of Zurich, Department of Research/ General Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland

makam1@bluewin.ch

Objective: This study aimed at capturing the service delivery profile of child guidance institutions, to children of in-patients of psychiatric hospitals.

Method: Analysis of quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative data (key informant interviews).

Results: Every fifth in-patient of psychiatric hospitals lived together with his/her children under 18 years of age before and after being hospitalized. Child guidance service was delivered to only 7% of these in- patients who are parents . Mothers (85%) were more likely to receive support than fathers (15%), although as many mothers as fathers were to be found in the group of psychiatric in-patients. 19% of the children concerned were rated as showing severe signs of disruptive behaviour.

Conclusion: Service delivery was organized in a rather unsystematic way. The communications structure among the professionals , as well as personal attitudes of individual professionals, were identified as the key areas for improvement.