Study of dropouts from a psychiatric clinic of a general hospital.

During the study period of three months, out of 425 patients attending the psychiatric clinic of a general hospital, for the first time, 165 (38.8%) did not complete the treatment as prescribed by the doctors and were considered as dropouts. They were contacted at their homes to find out the reasons of the dropping out, were compared with patients, who completed the treatment fully on socio-demographic variables and attitude towards treatment. Dropouts significantly differed from treatment acceptors regarding their income, place of domicile and occupation. Maximum number of patients (59.9%) dropped out after the first visit. Dropouts were the maximum among epileptics, and minimum among the mentally retarded patients. Dropouts were dissatisfied with their experience at the clinic as treatment advised was not of their choice, and they feared bad side effects from ECT and drugs. Long distance of residence from clinic was an important reason for dropping out, besides social and economic reasons.