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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 25-29 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Primary Care Psychiatry |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 1997 |
Keywords
- Community psychiatry
- Primary care
- Psychiatric care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health