A study of attendance and filling in of pre-appointment questionnaires in an outpatient clinical psychology service

Abstract

This study looked at whether filling in pre-appointment questionnaires was related to attendance in an adult clinical psychology out-patient service. Comparisons were made between attenders who filled in forms, attenders who did not fill in forms, non-attenders who filled in forms and non-attenders who did not fill in forms. The variables compared were: age, source of referral, reason for referral, gender, Health Authority, ethnic origin, marital status, level of anxiety (BAI), level of depression (BDI) and severity of symptoms (SCL-90). Attendance was much higher in those who filled in pre-appointment questionnaires (75% v. 35%). In addition, non-attenders who filled in questionnaires were younger than most of the other groups; attendance rates were raised with consultant referrals; GP referred clients were less likely to fill in questionnaires; and, among form fillers, non-attenders were more likely to be single. The results are discussed with reference to their service implications.