In a Community Mental Health Center

Urban Community Mental Health Centers (CBECos),are faced with large case loads and, long waiting lists. Clionis,failihg the initial appointment represent a significant loss of staff time and resources to CMHCes. Despite the high rate of failed initial appointments reported, no studies have looked at means of reducing the failure.rate. In the current stUd4 ",88 subjects were assigned to.. one of four intervention groups. Group'A received a 1ptter three clays prior to initial appointment; group E received a telephone call three days prior to initial appointment; group C received a telephone call 'one day ptior to initial appointment; group D was a Control. The content of the telephone call and letter were identical. Subjects. were reminded of dateand time of appointment and name of worker. The results showed a significant reduction in the rate cf failed initial appointments..In Group C, 91% of subjects kept the initial appointments; in' both Groups A and B, 682 kept their initial appointmenti. Only 452,of the control group kept their appointments. Thek effectiveness of these interventicn'technigues in reducing the failure -rate, and thereby enhancing the resources/ of_CMEICis , was , discussed. Possible explanations fcr differences in the fiffectiveness of" the three intervention techniques, as well its age, Sex and SES variables, were explored. (Author) ** ****************************************************4*************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the bett that can be made* frog the original document. 44**3030 **************,******************4******************************* -06bide. r\I CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH CENTER C\1 Co .