Correlates of patient attendance in an inner-city mental health clinic

Of 140 patients seen at a psychiatric clinic serving a predominantly black, low-income population, 65% attended for four or more visits. Patients over age 30 and those with a diagnosis of psychosis or personality disorder remained in therapy for significantly longer periods than the rest of the group. Failure to prescribe medication was associated with early dropout, but this effect seemed to be attenuated with duration of therapy. The race of the patients and therapists did not seem to influence continuation in treatment, but such an influence may have been masked by differences in the therapists' experience.