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The Patient and the First Psychiatric Interview

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Ruth M. Michaels
Affiliation:
Southampton University Medical School
Michael A. Sevitt
Affiliation:
Wessex Unit for Children and Parents, Locksway Road, Portsmouth; Southampton University Medical School

Summary

This paper presents work that formed the basis of a fourth-year project at Southampton University Medical School. Thirty patients were seen prior to their first psychiatric consultation and asked about their hopes, fears and expectations. Twenty-five were seen subsequently.

The study, which is largely descriptive, shows that many patients have unrealistic expectations about various aspects of the interview, and afterwards many are dissatisfied with its outcome. The paper discusses these findings and makes some tentative recommendations.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1978 

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References

Balint, M. (1964) The Doctor, his Patient and the Illness. 2nd edition. Pitman Medical Publishing Company.Google Scholar
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Skuse, D. H. (1975) Attitudes to the psychiatric out-patients clinic. British Medical Journal, iii, 469–77.Google Scholar
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