Factors predicting adherence with psychiatric follow-up appointments for patients assessed by the liaison psychiatric team in the emergency department

Background: Several factors may predict adherence with psychiatric follow-up appointment for patients seen in the emergency department (ED) by liaison psychiatric teams. Awareness of these factors would allow for interventions targeted at vulnerable groups. Aim: To examine the factors which could predict adherence with psychiatric follow-up appointments for patients assessed in the ED by the liaison psychiatric team. Methods: The records of all patients assessed over a 3-month period by the liaison psychiatric team in the emergency department of Beaumont Hospital who were then referred for follow-up to their community mental health team were examined for relevant demographic and clinical variables. Phone contact was then made with the teams to which patients had been referred, to confirm the appointments made and if the patients had attended for their follow-up appointment. The data was analyzed with SPSS (version 17) using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Overall, 56% of the patients were found to have attended their follow-up appointments. Being previously known to psychiatric services was the only statistically significant predictor of adherence with out-patient appointments; with an odds ratio of 7 and p-value of 0.034 when controlling for other variables. Conclusion: Patients who are not known to psychiatric services prior to assessment in the emergency department may need a more proactive outreach if compliance with psychiatric follow-up appointments is to be improved.