Socio-economic differences in psychiatric in-patient care.

Objective: We seek to investigate socio-economic differences in psychiatric in-patient care regarding admission, treatment and outcome.

Method: This study is undertaken on a comprehensive and exhaustive psychiatric case register of all psychiatric in-patient care carried out in Belgium in 1997 and 1998 (n=144 754).

Results: Lower socio-economic groups were more likely to be compulsorily admitted, to be cared for in a non-teaching or psychiatric hospital, to be admitted in a hospital with unexpectedly long average length of stay and to be admitted to a ward with a more severe case-mix. They were less likely to receive antidepressants and psychotherapies. The improvements in functioning and in symptoms were also less favourable for these groups. The lowest group had a higher risk of dying in the hospital.

Conclusion: Psychiatric in-patient care is associated with moderate socio-economic differences in access, treatment and outcome. Further research is needed to clarify the causes of such disparities.