title: What the doctor ordered? Referrer satisfaction with a mood disorders unit.
abstract: Assessment of referrers' needs, patterns and satisfaction ratings with a psychiatric service provides both a clinical and service performance indicator. This study explored referrer satisfaction with a tertiary referral mood disorders unit (MDU). The 147 responders comprised 75 psychiatrists, 59 general practitioners and 13 others. Thirty-two percent of referrers were "very satisfied" and 42% "quite satisfied" with their contact with the unit. Components of satisfaction were defined by principal components analysis as "technical competence"; "adequate information and follow-up support"; and "access" to the facility, dimensions confirmed by responses to open-ended questions. Differences were established between the referral needs of psychiatrists and general practitioners, suggesting different treatment emphases. Such surveys provide a framework which can facilitate review and restructuring of important service components of any psychiatric facility.
authors.affiliation: Mood Disorders Unit, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay, Sydney, New South Wales.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eyers
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brodaty
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011570:Psychiatry; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016896:Treatment Outcome