Discovering risk patterns in people with affective disorder–induced disabilities associated with their healthcare delay

BACKGROUND: People with affective disorder–induced disabilities (ADIDs) often experience complex needs that delay their healthcare. Discovering hidden patterns in these people for real-world use of health services is essential to improve healthcare delivery. METHODS: A cross-sectional study population (2501 adults with ADIDs) was obtained from the Australian national representative survey of disability in 2015, including 21 demographic, health and social characteristics and healthcare delay information in general practice, specialist and hospital services. The Self-Organising Map Network was used to identify hidden risk patterns associated with healthcare delay and investigate potential predictors of class memberships by means of simple visualisations. RESULTS: While experiencing disability avoidance showed across different healthcare delays, labour force appeared not to have any influence. Approximately 30% delayed their healthcare to general practice services; these were young, single females in great need of psychosocial support and aids for personal activities. Those who delayed their healthcare commonly presented a lack of social connections and a need for contact with family or friends not living in the same household. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern evidence provides an avenue to further develop integrated care strategies with better targeting of people with ADIDs, considering social participation challenges facing them, to improve health service utilisation.