Parent orientation meetings to improve attendance and access at a child psychiatric clinic

As one of several strategies to improve attendance and reduce the size of the waiting list at a child psychiatric clinic serving urban, multiproblem clients, parents were required to attend a free pretreatment orientation group meeting. The rate of missed appointments among families not oriented to the clinic was compared with that of families who attended the orientation meeting. The orientation process significantly improved attendance at intake appointments but did not appear to affect attendance at subsequent appointments. It screened out unmotivated parents, reduced the size of the waiting list, and allowed greater access to clinic services.