A survey of patient and keyworker satisfaction with the Gloucester mental health rehabilitation service

Abstract

Despite well described methodological problems, previous studies have consistently found patients to report reasonable satisfaction with their mental health treatment. Few studies have compared patient and mental health professionals' levels of satisfaction. rehabilitation case register were surveyed. Satisfaction with six aspects of care was assessed by a 5- point Likert rating scale, generating raw scores in each domain and a cumulative Total Satisfaction Score. Satisfaction among patients and their keyworkers were assessed on the same scale. Patients and keyworkers were more likely to be satisfied than dissatisfied with most aspects of their care. Patients had lowest satisfaction with knowledge of treatment, keyworkers with the patient's finances. Except for satisfaction with their treatment by the local satisfaction scores than keyworkers in all domains. Patient and keyworker satisfaction scores were at best weakly correlated. Other than for in-patient and compulsory treatment status, there was no significant association between satisfaction and demographic/illness-related factors, including psychopathology, insight, knowledge of treatment and cognitive function. The weak relationship between patient and keyworker satisfaction suggests a need for caution in interpreting our view of our patients' care. The findings imply problems in communicating about treatment with people suffering from severe mental illness. Assessment of patient satisfaction may be a useful component of individual care planning. 174/199 (87%) patients on the Gloucester community, patients had significantly lower