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Service utilization by black and white clientele in an urban Community Mental Health Center: Revised assessment of an old problem

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Abstract

Results of a four-year evaluation project by Harborview Community Mental Health Center to assess equity of service to its black constitutency are reported. Demographic, service, and psychometric data were gathered on black and white groups which were compared with each other. It was anticipated that service delivery would be proportionate to the social and psychiatric functioning of patients regardless of race or sex. The expectation was partially confirmed. Black patients were found to be somewhat less impaired than whites, yet were referred to treatment modalities and units with apparent equity. Patterns of service at one year were significantly different, reflecting earlier termination for blacks than for whites. This finding is discussed in the context of equal socio-economic class and diagnostic grouping between ethnic groups, but differing indexes of impairment.

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Authors
  1. Hubert E. Armstrong Jr.
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  2. Dean Ishiki
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  3. Julia Heiman
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  4. James Mundt
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  5. William Womack
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Additional information

This research was supported by contract number 1018-CGT-16889 from the Department of Social and Health Services of the State of Washington. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Jan Woodford in the preparation of this manuscript, of the staff of HCMHC in the colletion of the data, and of the members of the HCMHC faculty research team in the stimulation and support they provided.

Adress requests for reprints ot the senior author, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, RP-10, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195.

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Armstrong, H.E., Ishiki, D., Heiman, J. et al. Service utilization by black and white clientele in an urban Community Mental Health Center: Revised assessment of an old problem. Community Ment Health J 20, 269–281 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00757076

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