Race as a Factor in Inpatient and Outpatient Admissions and Diagnosis

African Americans were found to be overrepresented in inpatient facilities in which admissions were restricted to civil commitments and in the inpatient diagnostic groups, especially in the schizophrenia group; the diagnostic differences were far smaller in the outpatient setting.

Abstract

African Americans were found to be overrepresented in inpatient facilities in which admissions were restricted to civil commitments. The extent of their overrepresentation among outpatients was not as great. In addition, African Americans were overrepresented in the inpatient diagnostic groups, especially in the schizophrenia group; the diagnostic differences were far smaller in the outpatient setting. Future epidemiological studies of race and ethnicity should address the differential availability of services.