Diagnostic Characteristics of Adult Outpatients of Psychiatric Clinics as Related to Type and Outcome of Services

Abstract

Utilizing data from the state-wide register of psychiatric clinic patients in Maryland and employing the technique of "life-table" analysis, differences among clinic patients are explored with respect to varying psychiatric and demographic characteristics. Length of time under treatment and disposition and outcome of treatment are considered. The mean number of months under treatment for the adult group was 4.0 months. Younger and older patient groups showed lower means while the 35-44 year group had the highest mean (4.7 months). Admission from the metropolitan areas showed means of 4.7 months as opposed to 3.3 in the non-metropolitan counties. In Baltimore, highest means were in the high economic areas (4.4 months) as compared with 3.9 and 3.8 for less economic favorable areas. The Veterans Administration showed the highest mean number of months under treatment with 7.7 months. By diagnoses, males with psychotic disorders received longer courses of treatment (5.9 months) than psychoneurotic disorders (4.6), personality disorders (4.3) and brain syndromes (3.3). Improvement rates among adult males tend to be low for excessive drinkers, patients of lower economic status, and for those self-referred. Improvement rates are higher for non-whites than whites for psychotic disorders and brain syndromes. They are lowest (less than 20%) for white males with brain syndromes. Two-fifths of all clinic patients withdrew from clinic service of their own desire. Among those terminated by the clinic, type of referral depends upon economic status of patients, availability of psychiatrists, court action, attitude of family.