ATTENDANCE AT A PSYCHIATRIC DAY CENTER

Objective: To examine the service utilisation of a newly opened psychi atric day centre, We wished to determine if different diagnostic group s had different perspectives of the day centre, and to see if the drop -out rate differed among clients with neurotic or psychotic disorders. Method: Demographic and diagnostic data was gathered for all clients referred in the first year of operation of the day centre. Those who d efaulted from attendance were visited at home and asked to detail reas ons for non-attendance. Those who continued to attend 16 months after the centre opened completed a satisfaction survey. Results: The drop-o ut rate was high for both clients with neurotic and psychotic disorder s, Clients who continued to attend were very positive about the day ce ntre. Both client groups saw the benefits of attendance in social rath er than therapeutic terms. Conclusions: Consumer opinion may have a va luable part to play in overall measure,measurement of service quality, particularly if it includes the opinion of those who no longer use th at service.