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Patients’ Mental Health Journeys: A Qualitative Case Study with Interactive Computer-Assisted Client Assessment Survey (iCASS)

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health volume 20, pages 1173–1181 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Despite growing concerns about common mental disorders (CMDs), challenges persist in accessing timely and appropriate care, especially for immigrant, refugee, racialized and low-income groups. Partnering with a community health centre serving these populations in Toronto, we examined the Interactive Computer-assisted Client Assessment Survey (iCCAS) that screens for CMDs (depression, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and alcohol overuse) and related social factors. In this case study design with embedded units, we explored the mental health care journeys of patients who screened positive for a CMD. The analysis identified three major pathways of care: (1) early detection of previously unidentified CMDs; (2) detection of comorbid mental health conditions; and (3) prevention of possible relapse and/or management of existing previously recognized mental health condition. These cases indicate iCCAS holds potential to facilitate more open, tailored, and informed collaborations between patients and clinicians regarding mental health care plans.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) eHealth Catalyst Grant (FRN # 126526). The post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Ferrari was partially funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation through Early Researcher Award held by Dr. Ahmad. During this work Dr. Ahmad’s time was partly supported by the CIHR New Investigator Award. The funding bodies had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation or submission. We would also like to acknowledge conceptual contributions made by co-investigators: Liane Ginsburg, Serban Dinca-Panaitescu, Meb Rashid and Wendy Lou.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. School of Health Policy and Management, York University, 4700 Keele Street, HNES Building, Rm 414, Toronto, ON, M3J1P3, Canada

    Manuela Ferrari & Farah Ahmad

  2. Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, 340 College Street, Suite 500, Toronto, ON, M5T3A9, Canada

    Yogendra Shakya & Cliff Ledwos

  3. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada

    Kwame McKenzie

Authors
  1. Manuela Ferrari
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  2. Yogendra Shakya
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  3. Cliff Ledwos
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  4. Kwame McKenzie
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  5. Farah Ahmad
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Farah Ahmad.

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Ferrari, M., Shakya, Y., Ledwos, C. et al. Patients’ Mental Health Journeys: A Qualitative Case Study with Interactive Computer-Assisted Client Assessment Survey (iCASS). J Immigrant Minority Health 20, 1173–1181 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0643-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0643-z

Keywords

  • Computer-assisted
  • Community health centre
  • Qualitative
  • Mental health