[Evaluation of care in child psychiatry. Results of an exploratory study]

The growing awareness of the importance of evaluating patient care has inspired a psychiatric team at Sainte-Justine Hospital to contact some cases closed during 1971. The population was divided into three groups: the Treated group; Drop-Out "B" (after 1 or 2 sessions); Drop-Out "A" (after a single phone call). A different type of questionnaire was sent to the members of each of these groups. Analysis of the results shows, among other things, that there is a 36 percent drop-out rate ("A" and "B"); that the patients' understanding of the treatment process appears to be of great importance in the treated group; and there is a positive correlation between this and patient improvement. The diagnosis does not appear to be a significant variable in either the Treated Group or the Drop-Out "B" Group. It appears that dropping out is related to the way the cases were handled, particularly in the Drop-Out "A" Group. The results of this study underline the importance of listening to the recipients of our serveces and being easily available to them. It is only after their needs are fully understood that the necessary and pertinent changes can be introduced.