A comparative study of new cases seen at the Child Psychiatric Clinic in 1975 and 1985
Ko, S.M.; Goh, C.W.; Tan, S.K.; Chan, S.
Singapore Medical Journal 30(6): 553-556
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 2635400 Document Number: 336473
A comparative analysis of new cases seen at the Child Psychiatric Clinic in 1975 and 1985 is made in this study. There was a three and a half fold increase in the number of patients seen from 245 to 893. There was no significant change in sex ratio or ethnic groups. However, in 1985 more younger children (aged less than 6 years) were seen at the Clinic. The waiting time remained short with half the number of cases seen within one week of appointment. The commonest conditions besides Normal Variation were Adjustment Reaction, Mental Retardation, Conduct Disorder and Neurosis. Three-fifths of cases were discharged from follow-up within three months of therapy. Most cases (90%) did not require pharmacological therapy whilst family therapy was prescribed for a fifth of cases seen in 1985.