Neonatal Trauma: Mothers' Psychological Morbidity and Research Portfolio

Clinical psychology

Forrest, Deirdre

University:University of Glasgow

关键词: Clinical psychology;   

Others  :  http://theses.gla.ac.uk/76228/1/13833945.pdf

来源: University of Glasgow

【 摘 要 】

Objectives: To determine whether sending prospective clients service information prior to the first appointment influences opting in to the service, first appointment attendance and early discontinuation of therapy. The study also assessed how this information was received by clients and which aspects they found to be most helpful. Design: Two independent samples were compared. 1998 referrals received an information leaflet prior to opting in and the 1997 referrals received no written information. Setting: A West of Scotland Clinical Psychology department. Participants: All out-patient referrals to the psychology department (excluding neuropsychology) during a 7 week period in 1998 were compared to referrals from the same 7 week period in 1997. Results: 36% of the questionnaires were returned, with all respondents rating the leaflet positively on a number of factors. The opt-in, attendance and early termination of therapy rates were not significantly influenced by the information leaflet, although there was a slight trend showing more people opting in and attending first appointments and less terminating therapy early. Those who returned the question sheet were significantly more likely to opt-in and attend their first appointment. People who had seen a psychologist previously did not differ on these factors from those who had not. Conclusions: The provision of information to prospective clinical psychology clients did not significantly influence opting in, attendance or dropping out of the service, but the information leaflet was rated positively and was found to be helpful by all those who completed the question sheet.