title: Patient satisfaction with a mood disorders unit: elements and components.
abstract: Patient satisfaction is an indicator of effective service provision and may influence compliance with treatment. Of 265 patients attending a specialised mood disorders unit and surveyed at least two years after their initial contact, 221 (83%) replied. Characteristics of responders and non-responders were compared on demographic and clinical information from index assessment and follow-up. Sixty-four percent of responders were very satisfied and 21% partly satisfied with their management. Components of satisfaction included perceived competence of clinical management; the unit's administrative and after-treatment accessibility; and the support of staff and other patients. Those with a more adequate personality and melancholic depression at baseline assessment were more satisfied. A low current mood state at time of survey was associated with lower satisfaction in non-melancholics only. There were interactions between improvement in condition, diagnosis, personality and satisfaction. The survey provided a framework for formulating treatment programmes and was a useful quality assurance tool.
authors.affiliation: Mood Disorders Unit, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay, 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
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boyce
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hickie
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications; D000078329:Workforce