OBJECTIVE:To describe the social-demographic characteristics, the number and the types of emergency visits during the period of 2002-2007 in a psychiatric public service of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: A time-series descriptive study with trend analysis through linear regressions, where the dependent variable was the annual number of visits (total and by type), or the proportion of visits for diagnosis, and predictor variable was year. RESULTS: The total number of visits presented no significant changes. Nevertheless, a reduction on the number of first visits and an increase on the number of return consultations were detected. There was a reduction on the diagnosis associated with alcohol and drug abuse and a predominance of psychotic disorders. Admissions of patients residing in the capital were also reduced. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the total number of visits during the study period remained unchanged, while there was a reduction of patients from the capital and of the proportion of first consultations and of alcohol/drug related disorders. The most frequent diagnosis was psychotic disorders and schizophrenia.
Psychiatric urgency; mental health; clients
