The quality of outpatient psychiatric care. A survey of patient satisfaction in a sectorised care organisation.

Patient satisfaction with outpatient psychiatric care in a sectorised care organisation was studied by means of a mailed questionnaire to a one-year population of patients. Response rate was 40.7%. The results showed a high general satisfaction with treatment. Satisfaction was highest in areas of treatment planning/treatment design, treatment accomplishment and relationship to staff. A somewhat lower level of satisfaction was noted concerning information and coinfluence of the patient. Level of satisfaction was not related to social and psychiatric background characteristics. Patients with longer time in therapy showed a higher level of satisfaction. Patients' ratings of the quality of information and coinfluence were related to both satisfaction with treatment and treatment outcome, pointing to the importance of these factors for course of treatment and treatment success. A comparison with patient satisfaction with in-hospital care revealed significant differences in favour of the outpatient group. It is concluded that surveys of patient satisfaction with care may be a important and useful tool in the evaluation of changes in care organisations and in the monitoring of quality assurance standards.