A profile of patients who do not comply with referrals for psychiatric counselling

M. Liberman, B. Reicher, B. Maoz, A. Shiber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We used a specifically designed questionnaire to conduct a pilot study of 33 patients who did not comply with referrals for psychiatric counselling, and of members of their families. The results were compared with data received from patients complying with psychiatric referrals during the same time period. Reasons for non-compliance included the attribution of minor importance to psychological problems, spontaneous improvement in the patient's condition, feelings of shame, and exaggerated feelings of hurt at being referred for psychiatric counselling. Sociodemographic variables such as age and family status correlated with compliance. A major factor related to non-compliance is concern with the service system itself, rather than with the actual psychiatric examination and subsequent therapy. We conclude that changing the service's structure or location (e.g. to within a primary care clinic) might contribute to reducing the rate of non-compliance with psychiatric referrals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-29
Number of pages5
JournalPrimary Care Psychiatry
Volume3
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1997

Keywords

  • Community psychiatry
  • Primary care
  • Psychiatric care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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