Evaluation of the initial interview in a walk-in clinic. The patient's perspective on a "customer approach".

There have been different models on how to conduct the initial psychiatric interview in a walk-in clinic. A "customer approach" has been developed which stresses: a) eliciting and understanding the requests that patients have regarding how they hope to be helped; and b) negotiating a treatment plan with the patients. We evaluated this customer approach from the perspective of the patient. The first hypothesis was supported. The patient's perception of the clinician's utilization of the customer approach correlated positively and substantially with measures of outcome, especially feeling satisfied and helped. The second hypothesis was also supported. Utilization of the customer approach continued to correlate positively and substantially with outcome even when patients did not get the disposition originally wanted. We discussed the clinical significance of the customer approach especially in regard to patient objectives in the initial interview--a treatment plan vs. symptom relief.