User satisfaction with child psychiatry outpatient care: implications for practice

Satisfaction with outpatient care is determined by the extent to which the expectations of users are met. Obtaining the opinion of users is considered a reliable method of assessing the quality of service. The objective of our study was to assess the degree of satisfaction expressed by users of a child psychiatry outpatient service and to match degree of satisfaction with the dropout rate.

A questionnaire was used to assess the users' expectation of the service and degree of satisfaction. Dropout rate was determined from the clinical records.

165 new referrals to the outpatient service were recruited for the study. 41.2% expected a cure for the child's mental health problem. 65.5% expressed satisfaction with the treatment intervention and time provided at the first consultation. Positive free text comments supported this opinion, but were incongruent with the 32.8% dropout rate after the first and second visits to the clinic. Behaviour problems in children and serious social problems in the families increased the risk of dropout from treatment.

Initial expression of satisfaction with the service by the users does not guarantee continued co-operation with follow up care. Sensitivity in the approach to treatment is needed where there is a higher risk of dropout.