Is consultation at the psychiatric outpatient clinic a useful service for patients and their doctors?
The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the views of patients and general practitioners on consultation after referral to a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Consultation was defined as less than five sessions. One hundred and sixty patients who had consultations at a mean of 42 months before were invited to the study. Ninety-one took part, and they filled in a questionnaire on their views and Symptom Checklist 90-R. Thirty-eight (79%) of 48 GPs gave their opinions on a questionnaire of 128 (80%) written feedbacks from the 160 consultations. The patient and the GP questionnaires showed good psychometric properties. Fifty-one (56%) patients considered the help received at the psychiatric outpatient clinic as good or very good. In 73 (57%) of the cases, the GPs found the consultations helpful. At follow-up, the patients had a significantly reduced mental symptom load. Going to work and living with a spouse were characteristics of patients satisfied with the consultation. Administrative variables did not influence satisfaction. A clear focus and emphasis on patient information as to the nature and treatment opportunities of the mental disorders seems to be a cheap and relevant way of improving patients' satisfaction with consultations. The patients were least satisfied with consultation given by psychiatric nurses. In conclusion, there is need for improvement, but consultations should continue as an important part of the psychiatric service for primary care.
Østby-deglum
Ingrid
I
Innlandet Hospital Health Authority Sanderud, NO-2312 Ottestad, Norway. ingrid.ostby-deglum@sykehuset-innlandet.no
Dahl
Alv A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires