Client Satisfaction with In-Patient Care and its Relationship with the First Out-Patient Follow-up Visit in Persons with Schizophrenia: A Longitudinal Design

Background: Missed appointment has been recognized as a major problem in the management of persons with mental illness. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess client satisfaction with in-patient care and its relationship with the first outpatient follow-up visit in persons with schizophrenia. Methods: A longitudinal study of 311 in-patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Diagnosis of schizophrenia was confirmed using the Munich version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire.  The client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) was used to measure patient satisfaction. Results: Increasing total CSQ-8 score was significantly associated with a decrease in the likelihood of missing the first post-hospitalization appointment (AOR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.64-0.79, p˂0.05). Conclusions: Discharged patients who were satisfied with the care received during admission are more likely to turn up for post-hospitalization care.