Attitudes to the psychiatric outpatient clinic.
Fifty patients were interviewed before their first ever appointment at a psychiatric outpatient clinic about their attitude to the forthcoming visit. Many did not know that it was a psychiatrist they were to see at the hospital. Widespread misconceptions about the nature of a psychiatric consultation were uncovered. Many felt the referral carried an implicit threat of social stigma. Patient's misconceptions were relieved, and only 13% subsequently failed to attend the clinic compared with 30% of a control group.
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012945:Social Values