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Psychiatric New-Patient Clinic Non-Attenders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

R. Whyte*
Affiliation:
Royal Infirmary and Duke Street Hospital, Glasgow; Royal Dundee Liff Hospital, Dundee

Summary

Non-attenders at a psychiatric new-patient clinic were seen and interviewed six weeks after the missed appointment, as were a group of controls who did attend.

The non-attenders were more likely to have had frequent changes of occupation or belong to families where this was the case with the family breadwinner; a history of court conviction; and a history of previous psychiatric treatment. They were less likely to have improved since referral to the clinic; and to have a diagnosis of manic depressive psychosis, depressed type.

The findings are discussed. There appears to be some self-selection, the most treatable patients keeping their appointments.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1975 

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References

1. Burgess, J. & Harrington, J. (1964) 200 psychiatric outpatient non-attenders. Cast Conference, 2, 5960.Google Scholar
2. Errera, P., Davenport, P. & Decker, L. (1965) Pre-intake drop-out at a psychiatric clinic. Mental Hygiene, 49, 558–63.Google Scholar
3. Hoenig, J. & Ragg, N. (1965) The non-attending psychiatric out-patient. Medical Care, 4, 96100.Google Scholar
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