PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH A MOOD DISORDERS UNIT - ELEMENTS AND COMPONENTS

Patient satisfaction is an indicator of effective service provision an d may influence compliance with treatment. Of 265 patients attending a specialised mood disorders unit and surveyed at least two years after their initial contact, 221 (83%) replied. Characteristics of responde rs and non-responders were compared on demographic and clinical inform ation from index assessment and follow-up. Sixty-four percent of respo nders were very satisfied and 21% partly satisfied with their manageme nt. Components of satisfaction included perceived competence of clinic al management; the unit's administrative and after-treatment accessibi lity; and the support of staff and other patients. Those with a more a dequate personality and melancholic depression at baseline assessment were more satisfied. A low current mood state at time of survey was as sociated with lower satisfaction in non-melancholics only. There were interactions between improvement in condition, diagnosis, personality and satisfaction. The survey provided a framework for formulating trea tment programmes and was a useful quality assurance tool.