Satisfaction with mental health services in older primary care patients

This study examines whether older adult primary care patients are satisfied with two intervention models designed to ameliorate their behavioral health problems.

A total of 1,052 primary care patients aged 65 and older with depression, anxiety, or at-risk drinking were randomly assigned to and participated in either integrated care (IC) or enhanced specialty referral (ESR) model and completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) administered at three-month follow-up assessment.

Older adult patients' satisfaction with IC (mean: 3.4, standard deviation [SD]: 0.60) was significantly higher than that with ESR (mean: 3.2, SD: 0.78), but the absolute difference was modest. Regression results showed that patients who used the IC model, attended the treatment service twice or more, or showed clinical improvement were more likely to express greater satisfaction. Stigma toward mental illness was negatively associated with satisfaction with mental health services.

Older adults are more likely to have greater satisfaction with mental health services integrated in primary care settings than through enhanced referrals to specialty mental health and substance abuse clinics.