Purpose: The aim is to improve the uptake of psychiatric services for new patients being referred from primary care, counseling, and hospital discharge follow-up care.
Design and methods: A convenience sample of 18 new patients participated in a provider-initiated telephone protocol to increase knowledge related to psychiatric treatment and remind patients of appointments the day before the initial visit.
Findings: Fifteen patients attended the initial visit, resulting in a 26% reduction rate of no-show rates from 27% the previous year to 20% in a 3-month period.
Practice implications: Introduction and reminder calls by psychiatric providers improve no-show rates.
Keywords: Adult psychiatric-mental health; engagement; no-show.
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