title: Users of three psychiatric services: profile and opinion.
abstract: This study aimed to characterize mental patients and their companions at three psychiatric services; to identify diseases, diagnoses and treatments; to learn about their expectations and opinions about mental illness and psychiatric care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with mental disorders and their companions (750) at three care services (Emergency Unit, Psychosocial Care Center and Mental Health Clinic) answered the Clinical-Social Characterization Questionnaire and the Opinion Measurement Scale on concepts and psychiatric care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Single patients with unstable relations with their partners, low educational level, unemployed, with little information about their diagnoses and treatments. Medication treatments and low commitment levels were predominant. Many patients had acquired the illness over the last five years. Subjects at the three services revealed diverging opinions regarding concepts and care.
authors: wosinaga@terra.com.br
authors: Vera Lucia Mendiondo
authors: VL
authors: Osinaga
authors: Antonia Regina Ferreira
authors: AR
authors: Furegato
authors: Jair Licio Ferreira
authors: JL
authors: Santos
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000458:organization & administration*