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Factors Influencing Non-attendance at Child Psychiatry Out-patient Appointments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

David Cottrell ,
Peter Hill ,
David Walk ,
Jo Dearnaley  and
Andreas Ierotheou
David Cottrell*
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, currently Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, London Hospital Medical College
Peter Hill
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School
David Walk
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital, Tooting
Jo Dearnaley
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital, Tooting
Andreas Ierotheou
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital, Tooting
*
∗London Hospital Medical College, Turner Street, London E1 2AD
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Abstract

The clinic attendance of 100 consecutive referrals to child psychiatry is described. Only 47 cases ended in agreed discharge. Different factors were found to be associated with attrition at different stages in the treatment-uptake process. Of referrals offered an appointment, 16% failed to attend at all; this was significantly associated with parents being against referral. Of cases offered a subsequent appointment, 40% dropped out. Continued attendance was associated with a presenting problem of general anxiety and with consultation to the referrer. Dropping out was associated with parents who were separated.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 152 , Issue 2 , February 1988 , pp. 201 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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