The effect of a pre-appointment questionnaire on clinical psychologist attendance rates

A 12-page, psychodynamically-formulated questionnaire is sent routinely to people referred to a clinical psychology service. This study examines its effect on attendance rates at initial appointments. A group of patients who were sent the questionnaire was compared to two control groups. There were indications that those who were sent the questionnaire were more likely than controls to attend. The result failed to reach statistical significance at the 5 per cent level, but, using a more conservative criterion, those who were sent the questionnaire were significantly more likely than controls to make contact--either by attending or actively cancelling their appointment--rather than simply failing to turn up.