[Continuity of patient care and patient satisfaction in a community-based psychiatric service]

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate whether the mandated quality standards concerning doctor and team member/patient continuity in treatment had been achieved. Furthermore, we wanted to assess the degree of patient satisfaction with the psychiatric service.

Retrospectively, we chose 319 consecutive treatments over a period of six months and assessed the number of doctor/patient contacts and the number of patient contacts with other team members (nurse, psychologist and social worker). The results were compared to the goals stated in the standards. Patient satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire. 235 patients were asked to participate; 114 (48%) responded.

In all, 2,600 contacts were registered. 2,449 (94.2%) of these were contacts between patients and team. Though the material included 79 cases of admittance to hospital and 14 cases of admittance to day hospital, the continuity of contact (patient/team) remained unbroken in more than 90% of the cases. The responses to the ''satisfaction questionnaires'' were uniformly positive, showing a high degree of satisfaction.

If the same team member sees the patient during admissions and ambulatory practice, a high degree of continuity can be achieved. How this can be done when combined with other specialties is a challenge for the future. 75% of those responding to this questionnaire were satisfied or very satisfied within the areas explored. A high level of patient satisfaction is hardly equivalent to a high professional standard, but high patient satisfaction is certainly indicative of good treatment.