State prison mental heath services recipients perception of care survey.
BACKGROUND
Studies have demonstrated the importance of patient perceptions' of mental health service quality. No studies, however, could be found that surveyed recipients in prison, despite the rapid growth of patients, and litigation in these settings.


METHODS
Patients were asked to complete an anonymous survey in private, and sealed it in an envelope.


RESULTS
Of 613 respondents, most were satisfied (79%), agreed they had sufficient access to therapists (78%), were involved with treatment decisions (84%), and thought the MH services they had received would help them better deal with a crisis and emotional stress (75%). There were differences among mental health programs/housing units. Several of perception questions were significantly correlated with medication compliance, admission to crisis observation cells, and receiving disciplinary infractions.


CONCLUSIONS
Random samples were requested, but likely only a convenience sample was obtained. However, the positive results suggest the need to strive to enhance patient quality of care ratings.
Way
Bruce B
BB
Central New York Psychiatric Center (CNYPC), New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), PO Box 300, Marcy, NY 13034, USA. BruceWay@omh.state.ny.us
Sawyer
Don A
DA
Kahkejian
Deborah
D
Moffitt
Catherine
C
Lilly
Stephanie N
SN
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000592:standards; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010358:Patient Participation; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
Behav Sci Law. 1997 Autumn;15(4):427-38
9480011
Schizophr Bull. 2003;29(2):229-45
14552499
Ment Health Serv Res. 2002 Mar;4(1):43-56
12090305
Psychol Bull. 1983 Jul;94(1):54-67
6353466
Adm Policy Ment Health. 2001 Nov;29(2):145-55
11939749
Eval Program Plann. 1982;5(3):233-7
10259963