Referrals from a psychiatric emergency room: relationship of compliance to demographic and interview variables

In a sample of 89 patients referred from a psychiatric service emergency room, the author investigated variables related to completion and noncompletion of the physician's recommendation. The completers (58%) tended to be older and more educated, to be diagnosed as depressed, and to demonstrate congruence in terms of their request and their perception of the physician's goal. Implications for referral include ensuring that the interview with the patient includes a communication, empathy, and mutual influence. Using the negotiated approach and criteria derived during the clinical interview, certain patients can be identified as being "at risk" for noncompletion and as requiring special efforts.