Factors Influencing Attendance and Non-Attendance at a Day Unit

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to look at the factors that determine attendance and non-attendance of long term psychiatrically ill clients at their activity programme in a day unit. Twenty-four clients were interviewed using an interview schedule. The areas covered included the information given to the client before attendance and on arrival, the reception given and the client's attitude towards staffing and the unit. The results showed two significant areas of difference between attenders and non-attenders: attenders knew who their keyworker was whereas non-attenders had little idea; and the non-attenders had not been convinced that the unit could be of benefit to them whereas the attenders saw the unit as being of value. A third area that seems significant to attenders and non-attenders is the perceived lack of information given at the time of their referral and before their first appointment at the unit. It would appear that the keyworker has an important role to play in helping to avoid non-attendance; in addition, the client must perceive the unit as having some value, otherwise non-attendance may follow.