Patients' characteristics and consumer satisfaction on an inpatient child psychiatric unit.

This paper reports the results of a chart review and consumer satisfaction evaluation of referrals to a tertiary care child psychiatric inpatient unit. The evaluation involved an examination of the types of child and family difficulties treated during the period of the study; the nature and extent of assessment, treatment and follow-up; treatment outcome and parental perception of factors related to treatment outcome; and the satisfaction of both the parents and referral sources. Results indicated that children admitted for treatment were a heterogeneous group with severe difficulties from families with a number of problems. Most parents and referring therapists were very satisfied with the treatment, recommendations and follow-up provided. Significant correlations were observed between the parents' and referring therapist's satisfaction with the service and the extent to which home based problems were addressed during the child's stay in hospital. In addition, some suggestions are given for strategies to improve services. The findings are discussed with special reference to the value of program evaluations for inpatient child psychiatric services.