Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 January 2018
This paper presents work that formed the basis of a fourth-year project at Southampton University Medical School. Thirty patients were seen prior to their first psychiatric consultation and asked about their hopes, fears and expectations. Twenty-five were seen subsequently.
The study, which is largely descriptive, shows that many patients have unrealistic expectations about various aspects of the interview, and afterwards many are dissatisfied with its outcome. The paper discusses these findings and makes some tentative recommendations.
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