Is the satisfied customer one who also Ędoes wellę? The relationship between outcome and parent satisfaction in a child and adolescent mental health service

Abstract

Objective: Research has found little association between parent satisfaction with treatment and outcome. This report aimed to examine correlates of parental satisfaction with treatment of their child, in a child and adolescent mental health service. Method: The study was conducted in the Rivendell Unit, Sydney. Fifty-eight satisfied and 53 dissatisfied parents were identified using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Two outcome measure were used, a rating by an independent researcher and another from the patient's treating clinician. Results: After controlling for potential confounders, satisfied parents were eight times (95% CI = 2.0--34.5) more likely to have a child rated as having had a satisfactory outcome by the treating clinician. Conversely, children of satisfied parents were six times more likely to have been rated as improved (95% CI = 1.4--22.5). Conclusions: Contrary to previous reports, this study suggests that parental satisfaction is associated with outcome of treatment.