Children and adolescents seen in a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Iceland: Demographic data and diagnosis of children and adolescents seen during two periods: 1973-76 and 1987-89

Abstract

Icelandic family structure has changed considerably in the past 2 decades. During this time child and adolescent psychiatry has been developing, like other health and psychological services. In this paper a limited comparison is made between patients seen in the outpatient clinic of the child and adolescent unit of the National University Hospital during the 4-year period 1973 to 1976 and patients seen during the 2-year period 1987 to 1988. The results show an increase in the mean age of the patients seen in the clinic and a decrease in the male to female ratio. Service utilization rate is very low and has decreased for those living in rural areas. There is an increase in the relative number of patients with diagnoses of disturbance of conduct, disturbance of emotions, and specific delays in development but a decrease in the number of diagnoses of adjustment reaction. These changes may be understood to some extent as reflecting changes in society and the health services.

Key Words:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Diagnoses
• Follow-up
• Outpatients