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Clinical characteristics of people referred for Medicare Item 291 Psychiatric Assessments in northern metropolitan Adelaide.

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Title: Clinical characteristics of people referred for Medicare Item 291 Psychiatric Assessments in northern metropolitan Adelaide.
Authors: Burford, Chelsea (AUTHOR), Proctor, Jessica (AUTHOR), Thomson, Sumana (AUTHOR), Toh, Julian (AUTHOR), Schubert, Klaus Oliver (AUTHOR), Galletly, Cherrie (AUTHOR)
Source: Australasian Psychiatry. Dec2025, Vol. 33 Issue 6, p916-922. 7p.
Subjects: Mental health, Comorbidity, Mental health screening, Socioeconomic disparities in health, Medicare, Psychotherapy
Geographic Terms: Adelaide (S. Aust.)
Abstract: Objective: The northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, are characterised by marked socio-economic disadvantage. Through private practice agreements, psychiatrists employed by this region's public health service accept referrals from General Practitioners (GPs) to undertake Medicare-Benefits-Scheme Item 291 Psychiatric Assessments (MBS-291s). This study reports the clinical characteristics of people in this region who received an assessment under this initiative. Method: Data was collected from 169 consumers aged 18–65 years, who attended MBS-291s with one psychiatrist between 2017 and 2021. Data included demographics, diagnoses, comorbidities, management challenges, engagement with other services, and the psychiatrist's recommendations. Results: Of 169 consumers, 32% were aged 18–25. Mood (37%) and trauma-related (36%) disorders predominated. Psychiatric comorbidity was common (37% had ≥2 diagnoses). Adverse experiences were reported by 92%, including psychological abuse (60%) and suicidality (51%). Medication recommendations were provided in 99% of cases, alongside psychotherapy (75%), referrals to other services (88%), and lifestyle recommendations (70%). Conclusions: This study highlights the complex clinical and psychosocial characteristics of those referred for MBS-291s in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. We discuss the range of specialist recommendations and comment on the value and sustainability of providing these assessments in the Australian healthcare context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Australasian Psychiatry is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Clinical characteristics of people referred for Medicare Item 291 Psychiatric Assessments in northern metropolitan Adelaide.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Burford%2C+Chelsea%22">Burford, Chelsea</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Proctor%2C+Jessica%22">Proctor, Jessica</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thomson%2C+Sumana%22">Thomson, Sumana</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Toh%2C+Julian%22">Toh, Julian</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Schubert%2C+Klaus+Oliver%22">Schubert, Klaus Oliver</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Galletly%2C+Cherrie%22">Galletly, Cherrie</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Australasian+Psychiatry%22">Australasian Psychiatry</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 33 Issue 6, p916-922. 7p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+health%22">Mental health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Comorbidity%22">Comorbidity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+health+screening%22">Mental health screening</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Socioeconomic+disparities+in+health%22">Socioeconomic disparities in health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Medicare%22">Medicare</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychotherapy%22">Psychotherapy</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adelaide+%28S%2E+Aust%2E%29%22">Adelaide (S. Aust.)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Objective: The northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, are characterised by marked socio-economic disadvantage. Through private practice agreements, psychiatrists employed by this region's public health service accept referrals from General Practitioners (GPs) to undertake Medicare-Benefits-Scheme Item 291 Psychiatric Assessments (MBS-291s). This study reports the clinical characteristics of people in this region who received an assessment under this initiative. Method: Data was collected from 169 consumers aged 18–65 years, who attended MBS-291s with one psychiatrist between 2017 and 2021. Data included demographics, diagnoses, comorbidities, management challenges, engagement with other services, and the psychiatrist's recommendations. Results: Of 169 consumers, 32% were aged 18–25. Mood (37%) and trauma-related (36%) disorders predominated. Psychiatric comorbidity was common (37% had ≥2 diagnoses). Adverse experiences were reported by 92%, including psychological abuse (60%) and suicidality (51%). Medication recommendations were provided in 99% of cases, alongside psychotherapy (75%), referrals to other services (88%), and lifestyle recommendations (70%). Conclusions: This study highlights the complex clinical and psychosocial characteristics of those referred for MBS-291s in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. We discuss the range of specialist recommendations and comment on the value and sustainability of providing these assessments in the Australian healthcare context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Australasian Psychiatry is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – SubjectFull: Adelaide (S. Aust.)
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      – TitleFull: Clinical characteristics of people referred for Medicare Item 291 Psychiatric Assessments in northern metropolitan Adelaide.
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              Text: Dec2025
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