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The Ecology of Mental Health Care in Taiwan

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Abstract

This paper applied the ecology model of general medical care by White et al. to analysis of mental health services utilization within the National Health Insurance in Taiwan. The ambulatory and inpatient claims of a 200,000-person cohort in 2001 were analyzed. The yearly and monthly prevalence estimates included psychotropic drug prescription, diagnosis of mental disorders, psychiatric ambulatory visit and admission, community psychiatric rehabilitation, and certificate of chronic psychosis. The results revealed one-fourth of people had received psychotropic drugs during the year, mostly from non-psychiatrists. Besides, the elderly might be excessively exposed to psychotropic drugs, and community rehabilitation programs were underutilized.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study is based in part on data from the National Health Insurance Research Database provided by the Bureau of National Health Insurance, Department of Health and managed by National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan. The interpretation and conclusions contained herein do not represent those of Bureau of National Health Insurance, Department of Health or National Health Research Institutes. Besides, the author thanks Dr. med. Tzeng-Ji Chen for the professional advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Finance, National Chengchi University, 64, Sec. 2, Chih-Nan Road, Taipei, 11623, Taiwan

    Li-Fang Chou

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  1. Li-Fang Chou
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Correspondence to Li-Fang Chou.

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Chou, LF. The Ecology of Mental Health Care in Taiwan. Adm Policy Ment Health 33, 492–498 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-005-0028-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-005-0028-9

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