Treatment Gap in Mental Health Care for Victims of Road Traffic Accidents

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Main Authors: Paul A. Boelen, Maarten C. Eisma, Jos de Keijser, Lonneke I. M. Lenferink
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2024
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author Paul A. Boelen
Maarten C. Eisma
Jos de Keijser
Lonneke I. M. Lenferink
author_facet Paul A. Boelen
Maarten C. Eisma
Jos de Keijser
Lonneke I. M. Lenferink
Paul A. Boelen
Maarten C. Eisma
Jos de Keijser
Lonneke I. M. Lenferink
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Treatment Gap in Mental Health Care for Victims of Road Traffic Accidents Paul A. Boelen Maarten C. Eisma Jos de Keijser Lonneke I. M. Lenferink Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACTRoad traffic accidents (RTAs) are among the most frequent negative life‐events. About one in five RTA survivors is susceptible to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Knowledge about needs for, and usage of, mental health services (MHSs) may improve options for care for RTA victims. The current study aimed to assess rates of victims using different MHSs, including psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and support groups, and to explore correlates of needs for and use of these MHSs. Further, we aimed to estimate the treatment gap in post‐RTA care, defined as including people with probable PTSD who did not use MHSs and people wanting but not getting help from MHSs. Dutch victims of nonlethal RTAs (N = 259) completed self‐report measures on needs for and use of MHSs and PTSD. Results showed that 26% of participants had utilized care from psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy or support groups. Among people with probable PTSD, this was 56%. Increased posttraumatic stress was the strongest correlate of MHS use. Forty‐eight participants (17.8%) had an unmet care need and represented the treatment gap. Commonly reported reasons and barriers preventing MHS use were perceptions that problems were limited or would disappear without care and financial worries. Regarding possible future care, participants reported a preference for face‐to‐face (over online) help from a psychologist (over other professionals). The treatment gap for Dutch RTA victims may be limited. However, a significant number of RTA victims need care but do not obtain this care. Care options may be improved by reducing practical barriers to MHSs and increasing mental health literacy and acceptability of different forms of care (besides face‐to‐face care). 10.1002/cpp.2970 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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spellingShingle Treatment Gap in Mental Health Care for Victims of Road Traffic Accidents
Paul A. Boelen
Maarten C. Eisma
Jos de Keijser
Lonneke I. M. Lenferink
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Treatment Gap in Mental Health Care for Victims of Road Traffic Accidents Paul A. Boelen Maarten C. Eisma Jos de Keijser Lonneke I. M. Lenferink Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACTRoad traffic accidents (RTAs) are among the most frequent negative life‐events. About one in five RTA survivors is susceptible to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Knowledge about needs for, and usage of, mental health services (MHSs) may improve options for care for RTA victims. The current study aimed to assess rates of victims using different MHSs, including psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and support groups, and to explore correlates of needs for and use of these MHSs. Further, we aimed to estimate the treatment gap in post‐RTA care, defined as including people with probable PTSD who did not use MHSs and people wanting but not getting help from MHSs. Dutch victims of nonlethal RTAs (N = 259) completed self‐report measures on needs for and use of MHSs and PTSD. Results showed that 26% of participants had utilized care from psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy or support groups. Among people with probable PTSD, this was 56%. Increased posttraumatic stress was the strongest correlate of MHS use. Forty‐eight participants (17.8%) had an unmet care need and represented the treatment gap. Commonly reported reasons and barriers preventing MHS use were perceptions that problems were limited or would disappear without care and financial worries. Regarding possible future care, participants reported a preference for face‐to‐face (over online) help from a psychologist (over other professionals). The treatment gap for Dutch RTA victims may be limited. However, a significant number of RTA victims need care but do not obtain this care. Care options may be improved by reducing practical barriers to MHSs and increasing mental health literacy and acceptability of different forms of care (besides face‐to‐face care). 10.1002/cpp.2970 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
title Treatment Gap in Mental Health Care for Victims of Road Traffic Accidents
topic Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
url https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.2970