Families as educational consumers: what do they want? What do they receive?

In this study of 100 families of patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, the authors sought to discover what kinds of help families as educational consumers wanted, whether the desired help was received, and where they got (or hoped to get) help. One-half of the families wished they had received more assistance. Most wanted information from psychiatrists, and their level of education was an important factor in determining whether they actually saw psychiatrists. The families felt a need for professionally run information and support groups, but few actually received such help. Professionals did not satisfy the educational needs of families of patients suffering from psychiatric disorders.