WiP Seminar: Dr. Angela Russolillo

Angela Russolillo, PhD, MSc, RPN
Program Head – Psychiatry, CHÉOS
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Centre for Applied Research In Mental Health and Addictions (CARMHA)
Director, Mental Health Clinical Research, Department of Psychiatry/Mental Health Program, Providence Health Care

Patterns and determinants of acute psychiatric hospitalizations and readmissions: Implications for policy and practice

Approximately five million Canadians use health services for a mental illness annually. Treatment and supports for mental illness are provided across many settings, including family physicians’ and psychiatrists’ offices; however, several challenges often delay or prevent access to care and drive the use of more acute health services. Between 2016 and 2021, B.C. observed a steady increase in mental health and substance use related hospital discharges when compared with national rates. Once admitted to hospital, this population often requires more specialized care and longer lengths of stay, largely attributable to illness severity and psychosocial needs. While the available evidence confirms increased pressure on hospitals in B.C. providing care to substantial numbers of people with complex health challenges, limited research has examined diagnostics trends or factors impacting length of stay or readmission in regions with high rates of psychiatric and substance use morbidity and mortality.

This presentation will provide a brief overview of the literature on health service use among individuals with mental illness and related comorbidities and summarize results from two studies based at St. Paul’s Hospital. The first compares hospital readmission among homeless and non-homeless individuals following psychiatric discharge. The second explores temporal trends (2016 – 2020) and examines the association between diagnosis type and hospital length of stay. We will discuss how findings can be used to inform best practices and service reforms for the optimal delivery of care.

This is a hybrid event, you may attend in person or virtually. Please register and indicate your preference. Click here to register (required): https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5ctce6gpzktHdyuwJ_xburnGqiMK6_gBBDe