Waiting Times in Clinical Psychology in Public Mental Health Units: Predictors of Attendance at the First Appointment and Early Dropout

Key Points

• Attendance at initial appointments is influenced by waiting times, impacting treatment continuity and dropout rates.
• Waiting times currently exceed recommended standards, likely contributing to higher dropout from psychological care.
• Assessment of attendance and dropout used data from public mental health units to evaluate current treatment access.
• Reforms and increased resources for psychological care may enhance access and treatment effectiveness across public units.