Consumer satisfaction with a psychiatric out-patient clinic

Abstract

NHS out-patient clinics remain a major point of contact between psychiatrists and their patients. There are several advantages to this setting for consultation: it is time efficient, there is usually easy access to case records and contact with other disciplines and services is often available. With the current trend towards community care, increasing use of out-patient facilities is likely as home visiting becomes impractical and, moreover, may be undesirable for some patients.