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Journal article

Leaving child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS): the impact of diagnosis and medication management on optimal discharge or transition

Abstract:
Purpose
This study aims to explore how young people in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands and Croatia, experienced leaving CAMHS and identified a range of factors impeding optimal discharge or transition to adult mental health services (AMHS).

Design/methodology/approach
Interviews about discharge or transition planning, including what information was provided about their ongoing mental health needs, undertaken with 34 young people aged 17–24, all previous or current attendees of CAMHS. Some interviews included accounts by parents or carers. Data were thematically analysed.

Findings
A number of previously well-documented barriers to a well-delivered discharge or transition were noted. Two issues less frequently reported on were identified and further discussed; they are the provision of an adequately explained, timely and appropriately used diagnosis and post-CAMHS medication management. Overall, planning processes for discharging or transitioning young people from CAMHS are often sub-optimal. Practice with regard to how and when young people are given a diagnosis and arrangements for the continuation of prescribed medication appear to be areas requiring improvement.

Originality/value
Study participants came from a large cohort involving a wide range of different services and health systems in the first pan-European study exploring the CAMHS to adult service interface. Two novel and infrequently discussed issues in the literature about young people’s mental health transitions, diagnosis and medication management were identified in this cohort and worthy of further study.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1108/mhrj-10-2022-0066

Authors

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
SSD
Department:
Education
Role:
Author

Contributors

Role:
Contributor


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Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/00k4n6c32


Publisher:
Emerald
Journal:
Mental Health Review Journal: Research, Policy and Practice More from this journal
Volume:
28
Issue:
4
Pages:
362-375
Publication date:
2023-08-29
Acceptance date:
2023-06-12
DOI:
EISSN:
2042-8758
ISSN:
1361-9322


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1528286
Local pid:
pubs:1528286
Deposit date:
2025-10-21
ARK identifier:

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