Re: A Successful Walk-In Psychiatric Model for Integrated Care

[摘要] The Kroll et al1 walk-in model for sustained psychiatric care was able to increase follow-up encounters, especially in vulnerable populations. The authors claim “waiting room time was usually shorter in the afternoon;” however, they did not thoroughly measure it.1 A primary or integrated care practice that serves these at risk groups may hesitate to use this model because of the fear of its effects on wait time. Wait time and total time in office or clinic have a significant effect on patient satisfaction.2 Satisfaction is time limited, noted by the existence of a “golden hour” patients are willing to wait for a medical encounter.3 Positive satisfaction correlates with “improved medication adherence” in patients with mental health conditions.4 Practices may worry patient dissatisfaction could be exacerbated by unknown wait times in a patient population that is already prone to poor adherence and return visits as the authors recognize.

[学科分类] 过敏症与临床免疫学